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Our commitment to creating opportunities for children living in urban poverty is strengthened by our values as an organization and the people who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others.
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Our Values
How we work is just as important as what we do. As our team comes together to drive change, we are centered by our core values that guide everything we do.
PUT CHILDREN FIRST
Our investments must make a measurable difference in children’s lives — in better health, better education, and the capacity to thrive as adults.
EXPERIENCE THE REALITY
We base our investments on a sound, business-minded, and experiential appreciation of the on-the-ground situation. We believe that ideas and money are the easy part, hands-on execution is the difference.
GET STARTED
We have a sense of urgency about our work. We believe in learning by doing.
LEADERSHIP COUNTS
We attract top talent and creative problem solvers who recognize opportunities and drive for results. We provide mentorship and leadership development opportunities.
MEASUREMENT MATTERS
We feel an obligation to find the most effective use of funds. We want to know whether our work is having a positive impact on children’s lives. We do this without defensiveness in order to make us better.
Our Culture
We understand that every team member engages with our work from their own perspective. These diverse perspectives help us make a greater impact. Below are just a few examples of what it means to work at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
I spend my time working with and learning from talented people to ensure children of underserved communities have increased access to quality educational programs. I use my energy to build systems that enhance our ability to understand the impact of our investments.
Brian Bell, Enterprise Software Developer
To me, working at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation means making impactful change in the accessibility of education for those who are underserved. This entails providing educational organizations with the necessary support to ensure that their students are successful in their post-high school endeavors. Working at the foundation also means feeling valued and respected for my unique identities, thoughts, and ideas.
I have the privilege to apply both mind and heart all the time in the work we do; satisfaction in being able to support financial well-being and livelihoods of daily wage earners like vegetable sellers, street vendors, and other microenterprises across the country; a slight discomfort when I think about the long journey ahead; and hope that we are able to collaborate with several tech-driven innovative startups who are fixated like us in addressing the inequity.
Nat Malupillai, Director, India Programs
Working for the foundation has proven to be exactly what it said on the tin, namely a sweet spot between the corporate and nonprofit sectors where we apply a more business-like approach to driving social impact. Everyday, I get to wake up and determine how best to use our resources to provide as many low-income South African students as possible with the opportunity to attend a high-quality school. What a wonderful responsibility to have.
Sean Bastable, Program Manager, South Africa
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty. Our mission demands that we seek out and embrace many different voices because bringing together a diversity of ideas and experiences is the most powerful way we know to ensure the people we serve have opportunities to succeed. To achieve this vision, we must create a diverse team and inclusive culture, listen to the people we serve, and build authentic and trusting partnerships. We work to overcome both the causes and the consequences of major inequities and systemic racism by ensuring that resources and opportunities are fairly distributed.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS WORK TOGETHER TO EMBRACE OUR VALUES AND ACHIEVE OUR MISSION.
