Rhode Island Urban Debate League

Dear RIUDL Community,

I’m writing this letter to share with you a difficult decision made by our Board of Directors in partnership with myself, the organization’s Executive Director. The Rhode Island Urban Debate League will be dissolved as of August 31st, 2023. As of this writing, we have already begun the process of closing down our operations.

If you’re reading this, you’re one of the hundreds of community members who have helped build and support this organization since we began as a program of Brown University all the way back in 1999. As such, I want to assure you that the decision to close was not taken lightly. RIUDL has always been a very tiny organization making a very big impact on the academic and advocacy skills of young people from majority BIPOC, low-income communities.. Unfortunately, navigating the balance between the organization’s staff capacity and our financial sustainability has often been extremely difficult.

Since the pandemic, we have struggled to regain our famously high levels of community engagement. This, coupled with a major funding shortfall and staff transitions has left the organization with no other option.

But fear not! Debate is not going away for our high school students. I’m thrilled that our sister UDL, the Boston Debate League, has agreed to open up their policy debate programming to our Rhode Island schools. Stay tuned for news about how you can support Rhode Island students to debate in Boston.

In closing, I want to take this opportunity to again thank our current and former staff, board members, volunteers, donors and coaches for their endless contributions over the past 25 years. Most importantly, I want to thank the hundreds of young people who invested their free time and intellectual energy to build a community where they were safe to think critically, take risks, and be powerful.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to check out these FAQs, or reach out to me at [email protected].

Thanks again,

Phyllis Gingerella
Executive Director
Rhode Island Urban Debate League

RIUDL closure FAQs — Rhode Island Urban Debate League Why is RIUDL closing?   We’re closing due to a combination of staff transition, budget shortfall and sharp decline in community engagement since the pandemic.  I hate this!!! What can we do to save the organization?   We hate this too! Unfortunately, we’re pa

If you're reading this, you probably know we’re not your usual debate league. The world of debate is known for its ruthless competition, yet RIUDL has remained soft place for youth to land, grow, and learn their power.

That’s because our debaters take the lead in designing our programming, recruiting their peers and choosing what to debate about. Today is the last day to donate to RIUDL through 401 Gives! By supporting RIUDL, you’re supporting youth power and community care.

Special thanks to the for so generously supporting small non-profits with a BIPOC focus. What's your favorite BIPOC focused non-profit? Tell us in the comments and let's spread the wealth. Community care for the win!

Today, is not only a day of giving but our youth, coaches, and alumni judges are gathering for the final debate of the season! Cheer them on with a donation today. https://buff.ly/3DvqNwH

It's time for lunch! And for the lunchtime match courtesy of the . Grab a bite and donate now to have your donation matched. https://buff.ly/3DvqNwH

I came here to do two things: teach debate and raise money to support debate...

..and today is the last tournament of the season 😎

Seems like there is only one thing left to do. Make a gift to our 401 Gives campaign!

Did you know...the more attention a non-profit gets on social media for the more donations they're likely to get? So make a donation today AND share our posts! And do the same for the non-profits on your feed today participating in

We love the work we do. We love seeing students find the strength in their voice, getting fired up about issues in their community, and feeling empowered to do something about them. If you love all those things for Rhode Island youth, donate today! https://buff.ly/3DvqNwH

We're a tiny nonprofit doing BIG work and we need your help. We rely on donors like YOU to give young people the opportunity to think critically and understand how powerful their voices are in creating change in their communities and the world. Link in comments!

It's almost April 1st! - https://mailchi.mp/a7a1f3f1c43e/its-almost-april-1st

Phyllis stipeneding RIUDL alumni to judge TOMORROW SATURDAY MARCH 18TH. Email [email protected] or text her!