(The Lion) — A tech billionaire and his wife pledged $6.25 billion this week to help jump-start participation in the federal government’s new Trump Accounts program.

The contribution by Michael and Susan Dell is thought to be the largest, single private donation ever, according to the Associated Press (AP).

“We believe that if every child can see a future worth saving for, this program will build something far greater than an account. It will build hope and opportunity and prosperity for generations to come,” Michael Dell told the AP.

Trump Accounts were authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and are scheduled to begin rolling out in July 2026.

The central feature of the law is a $1,000 federal deposit for every child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, provided the child has a Social Security number.

“This is a pro-family initiative that will help millions of Americans harness the strength of our economy to lift up the next generation and they’ll really be getting a big jump on life” by investing early, said President Donald Trump.

The program establishes tax sheltered investment accounts for children, much like retirement accounts, but they allow funds to accumulate until adulthood so they can be used for education expenses or a down payment on a house.

“Trump accounts will be the first, I guess, you could say, real trust funds for every American child,” the president added.

The Dells’ contribution would give a $250 deposit for roughly 25 million U.S. children under the age of 10.

The donation is intended to fund accounts for children who do not qualify for the federal seed contribution of $1,000 because they were born before Jan. 1, 2025.

It’s also meant to encourage families to sign up who otherwise would lack the means to make contributions.

Annual maximum contributions are $5,000 for 2026 and 2027.

Even under the low-returns scenario, the account balance would be $187,400 by age 18 and $772,200 by age 28 under the maximum annual contribution scenario, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA).

Under the high-returns scenario, the numbers jump to $730,400 by age 18 and $1,904,300 by age 28.

The Lion calculated even with a $500 annual contribution ($42 per month) using CEA calculations, the minimum (low-return case) would be about $18,740; the middle (medium-return case) would be about $30,380; and the maximum (high-return case) would be about $73,040.

Those figures illustrate the program’s central theme: long-term compounding can turn relatively small, consistent deposits into substantial early-adulthood savings.

“We want these kids to know that not only do their families care, but their communities care, their government, their country cares about them,” Susan Dell told the AP.

Despite mainstream media claims to the contrary, the Trump Accounts’ $1,000 initial deposit is federally mandated by law.

The deposits must be invested in diversified U.S. stock-market index funds and remain inaccessible until 18 years of age.

For children born before 2025, no federal deposit is provided.

That is the group the Dells intend to reach with their donation.

The donation does not change the eligibility rules for the federal deposit, but it expands the universe of children who will have seed money invested once the accounts open.

Families seeking to enroll must complete a verification process, according to USAToday.

Parents will need the child’s Social Security number and will be required to register through a federal signup system once enrollment opens.

The Dells’ contribution adds a significant private dimension to the program before its national launch.

By targeting children who fall outside the federal eligibility window, the donation broadens the program’s reach and ensures millions of accounts will begin with an initial investment even without federal funds.

As enrollment begins next year, families will have the option to add to the government’s $1,000 seed or the Dells’ $250 contribution.

“Decades of research has shown that giving children a financial head start profoundly impacts their long-term success,” Dell said as he lobbied over the summer for the creation of the accounts. “With these accounts, children will be much more likely to graduate from college, to start a business, to buy a home, and achieve lifelong financial stability.”

For more information on how to open an account, see the White House page here.