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Speech is a skill everyone deserves
We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds speech and debate access for students who would otherwise be priced out. Here’s how we operate, how we keep students safe, and where the money goes.
Why we exist
Competitive speech and debate is one of the best predictors of academic confidence we know of. It is also, in most of the country, expensive and socially gated — concentrated in well-funded schools with established teams and parents who can drive to weekend tournaments.
SpeechSurge started in 2019 because a coach got tired of watching capable students turn down invitations they could not afford. We run paid programs, and we use the revenue to fund students who cannot pay. That’s the whole model.
What we actually do
We run tournaments, coach students one-on-one and in cohorts, train volunteer judges, and partner with youth-serving nonprofits to bring programming into communities that don’t have a school team.
We are not a school, an accreditation body, or a placement service. We do not guarantee competitive results, and we’re wary of anyone who does.
Accessibility first
Sliding-scale pricing, scholarships, and nonprofit partnerships keep our programs reachable.
Evidence-based coaching
Curriculum built with former national champions and communication researchers.
Safety without exception
Background checks, two-adult rule, recorded sessions, guardian access.
Published numbers
We report annually, including results that fell short of what we hoped for.
How we keep students safe
Most of our students are minors. We treat that as the central operating constraint of the organisation rather than a compliance checkbox.
Background checks
Every coach, staff member, and repeat volunteer completes a third-party criminal background check before their first contact with a student, renewed every two years. Volunteer judges complete a check before judging rounds involving minors.
The two-adult rule
No adult is ever alone with a student in an unrecorded, unobserved setting. Online private lessons are recorded automatically, and recordings are shared with the student’s guardian. In-person sessions take place in public or semi-public spaces.
Guardian access
Guardians of students under 18 may observe any session, request any recording, and contact their student’s coach directly. We do not ask students to keep anything from their guardians, ever.
Mandatory reporting
All coaches complete mandatory reporter training. If we have reason to believe a student is at risk, we report to the appropriate authority. We will not delay that to protect the organisation’s reputation.
Raising a concern
Contact our safeguarding lead at safety@speechsurge.org or call +1 206-555-0142. Concerns can be raised anonymously. If a student is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Where the money goes
Figures below cover the 2025 fiscal year and are drawn from our audited statements. Our Form 990 is filed annually and available on request and through the IRS.
| Measure | 2025 target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Students served | 400 | 437 |
| Fully funded students | 150 | 118 |
| Nonprofit partners | 25 | 22 |
| Students completing a full cohort | 80% | 71% |
| Free public workshops held | 12 | 12 |
We missed three of five targets in 2025. Fully funded enrollment fell short because two partner organisations lost their own funding mid-year, and cohort completion dropped when we expanded intake faster than we hired coaches. Both are addressed in our 2026 plan.
Legal status. SpeechSurge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in Washington State. EIN 00-0000000. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Organisations we work with
Twenty-two youth-serving nonprofits refer students to us. These are a few of them, used with permission.
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Ready to find your voice?
Book a free 20-minute consultation. No payment, no commitment — just a conversation about where you want to go.