Coaches
Resources for Speech & Debate Coaches
Thank you to the dedicated coaches at our partner schools! We know coaching is a labor of love and we are so thankful for you.
Team Grants
Grants are designed to create and elevate speech and debate teams in our region’s middle and high schools. Through sponsorship grants, teams can supplement existing fundraising efforts to participate in more competitions. Grant funding is available to schools in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Petersburg, and the City of Richmond.
Grant funding is generally awarded for the following:
- Supplies and materials
- Membership fees to speech and debate leagues/associations
- Entry fees for competitions
- Travel and meals
- Other items with pre-approval
Applications for team grants are accepted on a rolling basis based on the availability of funding.
Application Requirements
To be considered for a grant award, the following items are required:
- Submit a grant application.
- Provide a student roster and update as students add/drop.
- Completed media release for all participating students and coach(es) to be emailed or shared with sandra(at)richmondforum.org
To maintain eligibility to receive grant funding, teams are required to submit an end-of-year report, due in May.
Professional Development
With help from our partners, we work to remove any financial obstacles that might prevent coaches from being able to take advantage of these and other resources.
Support can take many different forms, including sponsoring coaches to attend conferences and sponsoring and/or hosting conferences and workshops.
We have proudly partnered with the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) and the Virginia Association of Forensics, Theater, and Debate Coaches (VAFTDC) to support professional development and networking opportunities.
“RSFDI and the Forum have opened doors we didn’t even know were available. My team has been given opportunities to grow and challenge themselves every year. Thanks to the initiative my speakers have experienced competitions, travel, events, and comradery that otherwise would simply be impossible. To see strength and confidence build in a young person is a coach’s dream.”
Jessica Sanchez, Speech Coach, James River High
Contact Us
Lucretia M. Anderson
Speech & Debate Initiative Manager
lucretia(at)richmondforum.org
Sandra Wheeler
Director of Student Programs
sandra(at)richmondforum.org
Mailing Address
110 South 15th Street, Suite B, Richmond, VA 23219
