Umoja Debate Team
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Umoja Debate League is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that uses debate as our vehicle to teach Detroit youth ages 11-18 transferable life skills such as critical thinking confidence conflict resolution increased literacy and self-expression. We provide youth with opportunities to articulate their thoughts and ideas to an audience develop interpersonal skills within a team environment and become transformational leaders.
- Income
- $859,129
- Spending
- $795,852
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 81%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $101,830, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 560% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $695,514 spent. Umoja Debate League founded in 2021 by 23-year-old Detroit native Jerjuan Howard was established to address a gap in community engagement through disguised learning Umojas programs aim to provide youth with a platform for developing transferable life skills such as critical thinking communication and leadership Since its inception Umoja has positively impacted over 400 families in Detroit with a focus on youth while also strengthening entire communities Umoja Debate League operates three core programs all of which are free to eliminate barriers to participation After-School Debate Program In partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District DPSCD Umoja offers an afterschool debate program for middle school students Currently the program is active in four DPSCD middle schools John R King Academic and Performing Arts Academy Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary-Middle School and Catherine C Blackwell Institute Students engage in weekly debate practices honing their skills in research public speaking and critical thinking while competing against other DPSCD schools Debate Summer Camp In partnership with The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Umoja offers an 8-week summer debate camp for students ages 11-14 Held three times a week Monday Wednesday and Friday students participate in intensive training focused on researching topics delivering speeches gaining rebuttal experience and competing against peers The camp includes field trips to the University of Michigan where students learn proper research techniques from librarians and participate in hands-on learning experiences Umoja Village In 2022 Umoja purchased three lots and developed Umoja Village a community space dedicated to addressing local needs such as nutrition deserts lack of programming and insufficient green infrastructure Umoja Village features a community garden art installations a free little library and a stage for community gatherings It serves as a hub for civic engagement providing free food yoga classes gardening lessons and speech and debate showcases Additionally Umoja Village hosts various community events including Fall Fest Earth Day Cleanup Peace on Puritan and the State of our Youth Press Conference These events foster a sense of community encourage youth involvement and provide vital resources to underserved neighborhoods Through these programs Umoja Debate League empowers youth to become transformational leaders while strengthening the fabric of the community ensuring that all Detroit youth have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.