Individuals and corporations will soon be able to donate shares of publicly traded stock to so-called “Trump accounts” — the government-backed newborn investment program created under President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and immigration legislation, federal officials announced Thursday.
The accounts are scheduled to officially launch Saturday, timed to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary. Under the program, the federal government will contribute $1,000 for every child born between 2025 and 2028. Some companies and philanthropists have already pledged additional contributions.
According to the Treasury Department, donors will be able to transfer publicly traded shares directly to the U.S. Treasury. The department said the stock “will be contributed to Trump Accounts for eligible children consistent with the donor’s instructions, applicable law, and Treasury guidance.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the new donation option in a written statement. “By accepting contributions of publicly traded stock, Treasury is creating a practical pathway for large-scale private giving to support the next generation,” he said.
Parents and guardians who wish to open an account must fill out a one-page Internal Revenue Service form called “Form 4547” — a number chosen to reflect Trump’s status as both the 45th and 47th president. The accounts are not set up automatically; the adult opening the account is responsible for establishing it and selecting how the funds are invested while the child remains a minor.
On Wednesday, the Treasury Department announced five investment funds available to account holders for placing the government’s initial cash contribution. The funds are tied to the performance of major Wall Street indexes and rank among the most commonly traded exchange-traded funds among everyday investors.
According to his annual financial disclosures, Trump himself holds between $7 million and $35.1 million in those same investment instruments. He purchased as much as $21 million worth of the funds in 2025. The White House did not immediately respond when asked for comment.
More than 6 million families have signed up for the program, the Treasury Department said, but only 1.4 million of those are eligible to receive the federal seed money, according to figures the agency previously released. That means the large majority of participants will benefit from the program’s tax advantages but will primarily be investing their own money.
Compared to other savings vehicles designed for young people, Trump accounts carry less favorable tax treatment but come with fewer restrictions on how the money can eventually be spent. The funds are not taxed until the account holder turns 18, though some state-level taxes may still apply.
