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Debate-Kansas City

EIN 71-0954101 · Kansas City, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To improve academic performance and increase opportunities for urban students through participation in debate.

Income
$227,320
Spending
$44,755
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
44.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $30,075 spent. For 27 years, DEBATE-Kansas City has provided opportunities for underserved urban students in the Greater Kansas City through debate. It is through this activity that students have improved their grades, tested higher, improved their reading skills, and developed critical thinking skills. To that extent, this past year we have hosted 12 regular debate tournaments at both the high school and middle school levels. We have had over 350 students engaged in the activity from 30 schools in both Missouri and Kansas. We have been able to improve our coaching staff at our new schools and re-establish existing programs. At each tournament, we have had over twenty different volunteers helping with judging, coaching, and general assistance. Each volunteer gave at least 6 hours of their time per tournament. The total volunteer hours are close to 1400 hours. Thanks to a lot of hard work, we will have three teams competing at the National Urban Debate Tournament. This will be held on the Harvard campus. Last summer we were able to send two students to the Harvard Summer Debate Institute and one student to the University of Kentucky Fellows Program. Last year, at the middle school level, we competed in the National Urban Middle School Championships. One team advanced to quarter-finals. We also had a student ranked 3rd speaker, and another student ranked 10. This year, we have six very eager teams ready to compete in this tournament. One of our high school teams has qualified to a state debate tournament, and others are poised to qualify out of their district. We conclude our season in April with an Awards Night that celebrates all the hard work.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.