irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $55KSUMMER DEBATE CAMP - WE ORGANIZE AND HOST ANNUAL SUMMER SPEECH AND DEBATE CAMPS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL GRADES. WE OFFER FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN IN NEED. WE OFFER DEBATE CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND ELECTIVES.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
After-School Debate Program
Live virtual debate classes during fall, winter, and spring semesters for grades 4–12, focusing on Public Forum Debate and public speaking, with a final virtual tournament
School Debate Programs
Partnership with schools to provide in-school or after-school debate instruction, professional development for staff, and customized curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school levels
Speech & Debate Tournaments
Hosts regional and virtual tournaments throughout the school year, including city-wide and championship events, open to member schools and homeschools
Summer Debate Camp
Virtual summer program offering multi-week debate and public speaking instruction for students in grades 5–12, grouped by grade and experience level, culminating in practice tournaments
activities · 1 group
What they do
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Youth Debate and Public Speaking Programs 8 activities
- Deliver in-school and after-school speech and debate programsProvides in-school and after-school speech and debate instruction for students in grades 4–12 through partner schools and Regional Debate Centers. Programs include public speaking, public forum debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and competitive speech events, serving over 1,500 students annually across New York, New Jersey, and surrounding regions.
- Deliver live virtual debate instructionOffers live virtual debate classes via Zoom for students in grades 4–12 during after-school and weekend hours, providing accessible instruction for students regardless of geographic location.
- Host debate tournaments and competitive eventsOrganizes and manages local, regional, and national debate tournaments including bi-monthly or quarterly school-year competitions, virtual seasonal tournaments, and championship events such as the American Debate League Championship and participation in the Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament. These events provide students opportunities to demonstrate and develop debating skills, with one virtual tournament drawing over 100 participants from New York and New Jersey.
- Operate summer speech and debate campsOrganizes and hosts annual summer camps for children in grades 4–12, offering live virtual instruction in public speaking and debate through structured curricula across introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. The program includes full scholarships for children in need and operated 12 weekly virtual sessions in 2026.
- Operate volunteer judge certification programManages a certification program to train and credential volunteer judges for debate events, ensuring qualified adjudication at tournaments.
- Provide debate curriculum and instructional resourcesDevelops and distributes structured debate curricula, lesson plans, instructional guides, and debate evidence to member schools and educators. Resources support public speaking and debate instruction across grade levels and include materials on argument construction and diverse debate topics.
- Support school debate programs with instructor partnershipsProvides certified debate instructors to teach classes, conduct online classroom visits, and support school-based debate teams and coaches in delivering effective instruction.
- Train educators in speech and debate instructionConducts professional development sessions and bi-weekly conference calls to train school staff and volunteer judges in speech and debate pedagogy, enabling partner schools to sustain debate programs. The organization trains 3–6 school staff members annually to become certified debate coaches.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$359K
Contributions & grants$170K47%
Program service revenue$189K53%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$337K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$78K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$17K
Cash$15K
Investments$0
Liabilities$183K
Net assets$-166K
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +75.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD CONNELLY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $95K |
board members · 5
- CHARLES TUCKER — DIRECTOR
- DONGHYUN JO — DIRECTOR/TREASURER
- EDWARD LUI — DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT
- JAE CHUL YANG — DIRECTOR/CHAIR
- JONGWON LEE — DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Adelphi University Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
- Agape Consulting Group Partner — Partnership with NYC vendor and MBE-certified organization for program delivery.
- Agape Leaders Institute Partner — Longstanding partnership since 2015 with American Debate League to support school debate programs.
- American Debate League Network — Refers to itself as a central organization promoting debate among young learners through tournaments and educational support.
- American Dream Charter School Partner — Partner school participating in debate programs since 2015.
- Bronx Community College Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
- Community School District 17 My Brother's Keeper Partner — Community and school organization partner of the American Debate League
- Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament Partner — Prepares students for participation in the Harvard National Speech & Debate Tournament.
- Hofstra University Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
- Hyde Leadership Charter School Partner — Partner school that began with summer debate program and expanded to middle school debate teams.
- Jack & Jill of America Nassau County Chapter Partner — Community and school organization partner of the American Debate League
- Jack & Jill of America Queens Chapter Partner — Community and school organization partner of the American Debate League
- Lehman College Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
- NSDA Network — References debate content from NSDA Nationals, indicating affiliation or alignment with the National Speech & Debate Association.
- National Association of Urban Debate Leagues Network — Participates in or aligns with the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues, as referenced in a speech by US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
- Outreach Organizer Partner — Collaborates with Outreach Organizers to promote the debate program in the community through media engagement.
- Parent Leaders Partner — Collaborates with Parent Leaders to recruit students and promote the After School Debate Academy in local communities.
- Parent Leaders Partner — Individual parents who partner with the organization to bring debate and speech programs to their communities.
- Queens College Partner — Hosts the American Debate League Summer Debate Camp in partnership with Queens College
- St. John's University Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
- St. John's University N.A.A.C.P. Partner — Community and school organization partner of the American Debate League
- Westchester Community College Partner — Partner college supporting American Debate League programs
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Partnered Program Expansionmethodology: community-partner-expansionBy partnering with Parent Leaders and training school staff, we expand and sustain debate programs in underserved communities because community ownership and local capacity-building ensure long-term access and program resilience.
- Debate Cultivates Perspective-Taking and Confidencemethodology: perspective-taking-through-debateBy teaching structured argumentation and analysis of multiple perspectives, we build critical reasoning and self-esteem because students learn to trust their analytical skills and collaborate in constructing arguments, fostering both intellectual and personal growth.
- Debate as an Educational Equalizermethodology: debate-as-an-equalizerBy using competitive debate as a structured intellectual sport, we develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and civic awareness in minority and at-risk students because debate provides equitable access to skill-building that counteracts systemic inequities and disrupts cycles of poverty and crime.
- Developmental Division and Scaffolded Instructionmethodology: scaffolded_instructionBy organizing students into age- and skill-appropriate divisions and using scaffolded, structured lessons, we make debate accessible and promote growth because tailored instruction matches cognitive development and prior experience, enabling sustainable skill acquisition.
- Integrated Debate for Multidimensional Skill Developmentmethodology: integrated-debate-educationBy integrating debate into education, we simultaneously build critical thinking, research, communication, and leadership skills because structured argumentation serves as a multidimensional tool that reinforces cognitive and social competencies in tandem.