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Paly Speech & Debate Boosters

EIN 99-3733956 · Menlo Park, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DURING THE 20242025 FISCAL YEAR, THE PALY SPEECH & DEBATE BOOSTERS SUPPORTED STUDENTPARTICIPATION IN ACADEMIC SPEECH AND DEBATE ACTIVITIES THROUGH FUNDING FOR COACHING,TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION, EVENT HOSTING, AND PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE. TOTAL ORGANIZATIONALINCOME FOR THE YEAR WAS $276,488, DERIVED FROM SUMMER CAMP REVENUE, FAMILY DONATIONS, ANDREIMBURSEMENTS.COACHING AND PROGRAM LEADERSHIPTHE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE OPERATION OF THE PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH & DEBATEPROGRAM BY CONTRIBUTING FUNDING FOR PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AND COACHING. THESE FUNDS HELPENSURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALIFIED COACHING STAFF AND YEAR-ROUND ACADEMICPROGRAMMING IN SPEECH AND DEBATE.RELATED EXPENSES: $100,008 PAID TO PAUSD/PALY FOR DIRECTOR AND COACHING SUPPORT.STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOURNAMENTSTHE ORGANIZATION FUNDED STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAM

Income
$276,488
Spending
$243,591
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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. $100,008 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE OPERATION OF THE PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH & DEBATEPROGRAM BY CONTRIBUTING FUNDING FOR PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AND COACHING. THESE FUNDS HELPENSURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALIFIED COACHING STAFF AND YEAR-ROUND ACADEMICPROGRAMMING IN SPEECH AND DEBATE.RELATED EXPENSES: $100,008 PAID TO PAUSD/PALY FOR DIRECTOR AND COACHING SUPPORT.
  2. $101,312 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FUNDED STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENTS THROUGHOUTTHE SEASON, INCLUDING REGIONAL, STATE QUALIFYING, AND NATIONAL COMPETITIONS. EXPENSES INCLUDEDTOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES, TRAVEL, LODGING, AND JUDGING SERVICES NECESSARY FOR STUDENTPARTICIPATION.RELATED EXPENSES: $58,362 FOR STUDENT TRAVEL AND LODGING, $37,555 FOR TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES,AND $5,395 FOR HIRED JUDGING SERVICES.
  3. $22,293 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE HOSTING OF SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENTS AND PROGRAM EVENTSTHAT SERVE STUDENTS FROM PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL AND THE BROADER SPEECH AND DEBATE COMMUNITY.FUNDING ALSO SUPPORTED TEAM ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT FOSTER STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ANDPARTICIPATION IN ACADEMIC COMPETITION.RELATED EXPENSES: $9,540 FOR TOURNAMENT HOSTING AND EVENT EXPENSES, $11,900 FOR STUDENTSOCIAL AND TEAM ACTIVITIES, AND $853 FOR FACILITIES USAGE.
  4. $14,239 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FUNDED OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAMMATIC RESOURCES REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A LARGESTUDENT PROGRAM. THESE EXPENSES INCLUDED TEAM SUPPLIES, SOFTWARE, LEAGUE DUES, OUTREACH, ANDOTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT SPEECH AND DEBATE ACTIVITIES.RELATED EXPENSES: $9,273 FOR SUPPLIES AND SOFTWARE, $3,477 FOR ADVERTISING AND OUTREACH,$1,488 FOR LEAGUE DUES, AND ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES INCLUDING INSURANCE, LICENSING,AND PAYMENT PROCESSING FEES.

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 October 13, 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 May 2025.

    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 October 21, 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.