Michael and Susan Dell
When Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coastline in August 2017, emergency aid reached communities hit by the storm. The Dell Foundation contributed $42 million to the fund, which eventually raised more than $100 million from over 33,000 donors. The Rebuild Texas Fund raised more than $100 million, with contributions from over 33,000 donors. The programme also helped 265,842 people receive health services and provided essential materials to 3,724 teachers.
Every dollar went to organisations working in communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, according to the Dell organisation. But as immediate relief efforts slowed, the need for long-term recovery became clear. Dell founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell helped launch the Rebuild Texas Fund with the OneStar Foundation to support rebuilding efforts across affected communities. Over the next three years, the fund backed hundreds of projects focused on helping Texans rebuild homes, restore businesses, access health services and recover essential community resources after the hurricane. The fund focused on four areas: health and housing, education and childcare, workforce and transportation, and small businesses. Other projects included equipping emergency medical services teams with lifesaving tools and restoring community facilities, including a Little League field.