The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty. In India, the foundation has committed nearly INR 2412 crores ($290 million USD) to its core programs in education, jobs and livelihoods, and financial services.
How we work
Our goal is to achieve measurable and positive impact on the lives of children and their families living in urban poverty, while at the same time catalyzing systemic change. The foundation deploys a range of tools, from traditional philanthropic grants to mission-driven impact investments. Three key objectives drive the foundation’s resource deployment.
The foundation serves more than 37 million children and families through programs funded across India each year. Through multiple investment instruments such as equity, debt, and guarantees, we support a variety of impact-driven companies. So far, we have successfully exited 14 investments by generating follow-on support.
Our impact investments at a glance
~$ 128 M
committed since 2006
38
active portfolio companies
$ 17 M
committed to nine seed funds
Education
The India education portfolio focuses on helping underserved students improve academic performance and get access to quality education. With a sharp focus on impacting learning outcomes measured through standard assessments, the work includes:
- Public school systemic reforms in partnership with state governments to revamp the school education system.
- Embedding outcomes measurement and attainment in different forms of funding, including outcomes-linked debt and development impact bonds.
- Incubation and growth of innovative service providers focused on quality of education across the academic ladder: K-12 to college education.
Large-Scale School System Transformation
- State-wide school systems reform: Initiatives in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Municipal Corporation of Delhi
School Interventions
- High impact academic programs: Teach For India, Peepul, Avanti Fellows, Akanksha, Transform Schools, Center for Learning Resources
- Ed-tech: BharatEd Tech Initiatives (BEI), ConveGenius
- Outcomes linked financing: Development Impact Bonds (QEI, LiftEd), Outcomes Program with NITI Aayog
- Life skills: Life Skills Collaborative, Dream A Dream, Magic Bus
University Success
- Dell Aspire Scholars in collaboration with Delhi Technological University and Hansraj College
- Foundation for Excellence
Education Impact in Action: Convegenius
Financial Inclusion
The Financial Inclusion portfolio focuses on improving the financial stability of low-income families in India by creating access to credit and banking services. Our focus includes:
- Developing and delivering a range of financial products (including micro-credit and MSME loans) and services to meet varied needs of customers from low-income households.
- Support ecosystem solutions to develop and catalyze technology-led innovations in the financial inclusion sector.
Nano Enterprise (MSME) Financing
- Investments in institutions directly lending to nano entrepreneurs: Kinara Capital, Arthan Finance, CredRight, Svakarma, Sub-K, Avanti Finance, Ekagrata
- Investment/funding support to ecosystem enablers: Kaleidofin, Finreach, Caspian, Northern Arc, Vivriti, CIIE, Bharat Inclusive Technologies Seed Fund, Center for Digital Financial Inclusion, IFMR, MicroSave
Catalyzing Urban Microfinance and Micro Mortgage Financing (now exiting)
- Arohan, Sonata (exited Janalakshmi, Ujjivan, Swadhaar, Svasti and Micro Housing Finance Corporation)
Financial Services Impact in Action: Sub-K
Jobs and Livelihoods
The Jobs & Livelihoods portfolio focuses on providing disadvantaged youth with high-quality vocational skills and other employment opportunities to increase their earning potential. The work includes:
- Boosting potential by imparting quality skills training and certification.
- Providing meaningful employment and livelihood opportunities to youth.
- Reducing friction towards meaningful employment.
- Funding ecosystem solutions to develop and catalyze early-stage innovations.
Skill Training and Job Placement
- Quality training: LabourNet, MagicBus, Lighthouse, and Social Impact Bond with National Skill Development Corporation Support for apprenticeships and Industrial Training Institute reforms with government of Haryana
- Fulfillment platform: Blowhorn, Awign, Betterplace, MyMobiForce, Airblack
- Enablers: Social benefits by Jan Sahas, CFAR, Indus Action and REVIVE
