Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Florida Debate Initiative Inc

EIN 83-3600967 · Oviedo, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Florida Debate Initiative FDI expands access to competitive speech and debate opportunities for Florida students by providing financial support training and educational resources to schools coaches and students. FDI partners with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative to promote civic literacy communication and leadership skills statewide.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
1,300
Highest pay
$114,051, president

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $354,939 spent. FDI serves as the educational support organization for the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative FCDI a statewide program to expand speech and debate education in public private and charter schools. FDI provides funding for tournament operations instructional materials and statewide leadership events. During the fiscal year FDI supported over 207 schools 1400 students participating in our programs 1400 volunteers helped run our tournaments and over 20,800 Bright Futures hours were earned by students during the year.
  2. $324,849 spent. FDI conducts training sessions workshops and leadership development programs for coaches judges and students to strengthen the quality and sustainability of debate programs. Activities include professional development seminars instructional resources and certification support for new coaches with an emphasis on underserved and rural schools.
  3. $103,282 spent. FDI funds and coordinates regional and statewide debate tournaments providing financial and logistical support to host schools. The organization helps remove barriers to participation by covering registration fees travel stipends and event management costs. These tournaments cultivate civic engagement teamwork and public speaking skills among student participants.
  4. $336,277 spent. The Florida Debate Initiative FDI incurs a range of administrative and program support expenses necessary to fulfil its mission. These expenditures are allowable and approved under the Department of Education grant and directly support FDIs mission to expand access to speech and debate education statewide. Program service costs include: Insurance office supplies postage dues and utilities required to maintain operations and communications. Audiovisual and communications materials used in statewide outreach training and tournament promotion. Professional consultants including Alumni Association Grants Management Development Programs Administrative Project Coordination Accounting Fiscal Officer Financial Audit and Public Relations who provide specialized expertise program delivery compliance financial oversight and stakeholder engagement. Senior Advisor and President services for program strategy partnership coordination and overall organizational leadership. These operational costs collectively ensure compliance with grant requirements support effective program management and sustain the delivery of high-quality debate and civics education opportunities across Florida.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.