Jumpstart the next 100 years of speech and debate!
Only 20% of high schools in the United States have speech and debate programs. That means 4 out of 5 students never get the chance to find their voice.
We’re changing that—starting now.
The 101 Campaign is launching the next century of speech and debate with one bold commitment: open access for the next generation. In a world divided by politics and transformed by AI, the ability to think critically, communicate ideas clearly, and listen across differences has never mattered more. The NSDA recently celebrated our 100th birthday, and to kick-of our 101st year, we have a big goal of doubling the number of students and schools that have access to speech and debate. This is more than a donation. It’s a declaration. If this activity changed your life, this is your opportunity to pay it forward.
Speech and debate changes lives. Will you?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. The NSDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Where does my money go?
Your contribution helps us expand speech and debate programs in under-resourced schools across the country—training new coaches, launching new teams, covering competition fees, and building sustainable infrastructure. Your donation will directly support the six elements of our plan which will double the number of students with access to speech and debate teams over the next five years.
Can I make a donation in someone else’s name?
Absolutely. Honor a coach, mentor, or alum by making a donation in their name. You can note this in the donation form.
Can I help fundraise for the National Speech & Debate Initiative?
Yes! We’re building a national network of alumni and advocates who are helping us raise funds and spread the word. Contact us to join one of our Giving Circles or to host a fundraising event.
Why should I donate to NSDA instead of my alma mater or other speech and debate organizations like NAUDL or urban debate leagues?
We also believe that we are pretty unique in this space. Here’s why:
- National Reach: We are the only speech and debate organization that is working in every state. We work with 4000 schools and 100,000 students. That is 10X more than any other organization. Two thirds of our schools are in urban or rural areas. Two thirds are Title 1 Schools. We work with substantially more under-resourced schools, urban schools, and rural schools than any other organization.
- Infrastructure and Experience: With a century of experience, we have the operational capacity, coaching pipeline, and technological tools to scale quickly and sustainably.
- Focus on Expansion: While other orgs serve select districts, NSDI is building the scaffolding to support every school—public, charter, rural, urban, and suburban—nationwide.
- Systemic Change: We aren’t just supporting teams—we’re advocating for state level funding and policy change to make speech and debate a core part of the curriculum in middle and high schools, and speech and debate a graduation requirement.
Impact: We are looking to provide access to speech and debate 100,000 more students annually, with a focus on rural and urban under-resourced schools. No other organization approaches that level of scale.
If you’re looking to make the biggest possible impact on the future of speech and debate in America, NSDA is the vehicle that can deliver.
How will the NSDA ensure new programs are sustainable?
Our initiative isn’t about quick wins. We are investing in long-term success by:
- Training and mentoring new coaches
- Building local leagues to reduce costs
- Embedding speech and debate into school curricula
Advocating for public funding and policy reforms