How It Works

a graphic depicting multiple methods for donating — **You make a tax-deductible donation to the foundation.**

a graphic depicting a collective piggy-bank — **The foundation aggregates funding from you and other donors.**

a graphic depicting a school building — **We distribute funding directly to high school debate programs.**

The Nebraska Policy Debate Foundation was founded with one purpose in mind: save policy debate in Nebraska.

The organization was established in 2022 by two alumni who are concerned that due to low participation rates, the activity may no longer offer educational opportunities to Nebraska youth. As we – and countless others – have benefited greatly from our participation in the activity, we are committed to ensuring participation in policy debate remains an option for years to come.

The foundation plans to invest over 99% of all funds raised directly into high school debate programs.

High school debate programs must use the funds they receive from the foundation to directly support students’ participation in policy debate. Debate programs may use the funds to pay for expenses including tournament entry fees, reasonable judging fees required to enter tournaments, student supplies, and student travel expenses.

For our inaugural year of operation, the 2022-2023 school year, Nebraska Debate plans to invest $2,000 per semester, per school, to the three schools that fielded entries at the 2022 Nebraska State Debate Tournament. Additional funding will be distributed in the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year to schools that field policy debate teams at a minimum of three tournaments in the first semester of the school year.

The foundation is a volunteer effort led by committed Nebraska debate alums. No funds are used to pay staff. The only costs associated with the foundation outside of direct school contributions are those necessary for the foundation’s operations, including maintenance of this website and associated email accounts, as well as membership with the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. More information is available upon request.