Support Equal Access to Speech & Debate in Alabama
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Our story:
Speech & Debate is an expensive activity. Tournament fees, transportation costs, and resource expenses cost students hundreds of dollars to attend a single tournament. Such expenses create disparities amongst marginalized groups of students and schools — an issue especially prevalent in education in Alabama as a whole. Thus, Speech & Debate has become an extracurricular activity accessible only to the schools and families that are able to afford it.
We at Outreach Debate believe that should change, and firmly contend that participation in an educational activity should not require a multi-thousand dollar price tag. Founded in 2021, Outreach Debate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making middle and high school debate accessible to students around the world. Spanning over 1,400 members across eight countries, our organization has hosted six debate tournaments, run five summer/winter camps, and provided dozens of online workshops, lectures, and resource packages to students at no cost.
Thus, to support equal access to this educational activity for students in Alabama, Outreach Debate is proud to present the Mockingbird Project, a program to subsidize tournament costs for students in need of financial assistance. Partnering with the Alabama Speech and Debate Association, this grant will use local and nationally sourced funds in partnership to cover team fees, entry fees, and hired judging costs for students across the state on an application basis.
Thankfully, small donations can have a large impact on students. Every $20 donated can secure an entry for one more student to compete in a tournament. Further, $200 donated can cover a student’s tournament fees for an entire tournament. With such a contribution, students will be able to pay for a judge (which they are mandated to provide) and compete in multiple events of their choice.
Speech & Debate can be a life-changing experience for students, boosting academic performance, fostering community, and creating future opportunities in continued education and career development.
Please join us in making a difference for students in Alabama!
Nonprofit information:
Organizer
Outreach Debate
Organizer
Tuscaloosa, AL