PSU Thon Four Diamonds Fund

[RUScrew85]

I just added a link to a story from a Pennsylvania media outlet that suggested the Thon's fundraising both benefits ttfp and is "foggy" in its accounting.

In the other thread, now locked, someone suggested this and was attacked for it. So here is corroborating story. that is all.

You get out of here with your facts - there's Polyannas whining!

 

[RUScrew85]

This.

It doesn't appear, at least from the evidence suggested in the article, that anyone is actually getting rich off of Thon. The only thing that strikes me as a little peculiar is that the money is being funneled through University Development, which of course gives Penn St. itself first crack at any funds raised, as well as the ability to decide specifically where it goes.

That, for me, is reason enough to stay away from donating. I'm more inclined to donate to specific causes than to charitable organizations which aggregate & distribute. The historical reputation of all such organizations is questionable with respect to the percentage of donations which ultimately finds its way into the hands of needy recipients.

Which was exactly my point in the other thread.

 

[Upstream]

Does something like this bump PSU up college rankings? Percent of alumni who donate is a factor, right?

Imagine alumni who make Thon donations to support the kids, but specifically avoid donations to PSU because of the harm it's done to kids...

I think that is really a stretch.

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

This can apply to most funds and charities. So many of them are scams.

I wish there was a board rule to ban threads about what other schools are fundraising.

Its a ridiculous obsession on this board.

So I agree completely but the reason I'm commenting is bc of ur profile pic Jay, I actually laughed at my desk at work when I saw it and my co-workers just started staring at me

 

[RUScrew85]

Yup, PSU and RU fan here but RU is my alma mater so they are my favorite, there's a reason I'm still on the board, I'm not a troll, why would I continue to come here to get bashed by you and 2 other people if I wasn't a Rutgers grad? It just doesn't make sense to me why anyone would waste their time doing that. 4real all you do is play the troll card whenever someone disagree's with you, In my year on this board I've seen you do it no short of 10 times your word isn't king, and honestly, you troll new members.

Either way just STFU dude I'm not gonna respond anymore to you unless it is football related so go ahead and write your rebuttle to what I just said and yell and scream some more so you can have the last word, but trust me, your the one making yourself look like a fool by bashing kids for raising money for a great cause

Well that's an impressive response to the issue at hand. LOL.

"Shut up - I'm not listening to you" posted as a response to a post you read from the person you are supposed to be ignoring.

 

[PSU_Nut_rivals17625]

Does something like this bump PSU up college rankings? Percent of alumni who donate is a factor, right?

Imagine alumni who make Thon donations to support the kids, but specifically avoid donations to PSU because of the harm it's done to kids...

Does it really matter? Even if it did should a ranking matter? Secondly do you actually think they count the number of people who toss pocket change into a can? If Rutgers's was raising money for cancer at the med school I don't care if it counts towards US News and World Report rankings. I going to throw what ever change I have in my pocket into the can. I not going to go online and bash kids trying to do something positive.

 

[RUScrew85]

Should I be upset when people were collecting in PA for hurricane relief efforts in New Jersey?

Are they clear about where the money is being spent to convince you it's honest? Decide for yourself.

Once again we have a reason to question the actual facts about something PSU does publicly and questioning it leads to personal attacks and obfuscation.

You PSU folks have issues.

Why not just be clear and honest about what you do and why you do it?

Or don't come over here and post about it without being fully transparent and not expect the lack of honesty to be pointed out.

What the hell do you guys put in the water over there?

 

[RUScrew85]

But But, Joe knew! so we have to bash them! Don't you understand? RU4Real told me so so it has to be true, or else he's gonna call you and me both trolls for the 1,000th time!

Click. You're not interested in an honest discussion. Later.

 

[RUScrew85]

"Neither Thon nor The Four Diamonds Fund files a 990 form with the IRS. That form is typically filed annually by charities that have a 501c3 tax-exempt status, and includes detailed information about where the money is coming from, and more importantly, how it’s being spent."
That's a Red Flag

"But because both Thon and The Four Diamonds Fund fall under the umbrella of Penn State University, both are classified as 170c1 organizations. These organizations are classified by the IRS as governmental units that are receiving charitable contributions."
What about all the know nothing Penn State posters that keep telling us PSU is an extra special entity above and beyond the constraints of a mere State U? You can't have it both ways.

You can if you are from PSU - they apparently don't teach logic there.

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

Does it really matter? Even if it did should a ranking matter? Secondly do you actually think they count the number of people who toss pocket change into a can? If Rutgers's was raising money for cancer at the med school I don't care if it counts towards US News and World Report rankings. I going to throw what ever change I have in my pocket into the can. I not going to go online and bash kids trying to do something positive.

Nut,

Please understand that the majority of Rutgers fans do not feel this way. Just like BWI has people like pnnylion, there's people on this board that will still bash everything penn state even if it's penn state trying to cure pediatric cancer. These people can't be helped and I am quickly realizing whats the point of trying to be rational with them because they are not rational people.

 

[vkj91]

Please delete this thread, nothing good can possibly happen from it. Spinning things like Thon just to rag on PSU is pathetic, straight up pathetic.

I don't give a sh*t what 'technicalities' and "Well, they won't release reports!" and "It's just a scam" Look, great kids pour their hearts and souls into thon and countless kids with cancer and their families have benefited directly from Thon. In fact many of those same kids have beaten their disease as a result of the research done in Hershey...

Here's the thing children (on this board), when it comes to an organization that helps provide assistance and research to children with pediatric cancer and their families, if you are going to twist that into penn state hate and don't have anything nice to say about the students that run the organization, shut the f*ck up or walk out in traffic! I think that's a pretty good determining factor on whether you suck as a human being if you are finding ways to bash a school for their students raising money to fight pediatric cancer

5 years ago you would have written similar comments about another children's foundation based out of happy valley.......

 

[vkj91]

Nut,

Please understand that the majority of Rutgers fans do not feel this way. Just like BWI has people like pnnylion, there's people on this board that will still bash everything penn state even if it's penn state trying to cure pediatric cancer. These people can't be helped and I am quickly realizing whats the point of trying to be rational with them because they are not rational people.

Is it really bashing though? All they are saying is that the money doesn't really go to the things people claim. The numbers aren't disclosed or reported and as a result, there are some questions.

 

[Puzio]

5 years ago you would have written similar comments about another children's foundation based out of happy valley.......

...aaaand there we have it: the comment that inevitably ties THON into Sandusky somehow.

 

[zappaa]

What questions are worthy of you worrying about your 1 dollar? Just the students time alone is worth one sheet out of your pocket.

 

[RUsSKii]

Nut,

Please understand that the majority of Rutgers fans do not feel this way. Just like BWI has people like pnnylion, there's people on this board that will still bash everything penn state even if it's penn state trying to cure pediatric cancer. These people can't be helped and I am quickly realizing whats the point of trying to be rational with them because they are not rational people.

The fact that you're trying to lump people who merely question exactly what their selflessly donated money is used for, with people who deny that a culture of football success over kids' well-being existed at PSU for a long time (and in case you weren't paying attention, pnnylion posted doubts that Sandusky was even guilty of pedophilia), tells me that you are an idiot. Peace..

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

Are they clear about where the money is being spent to convince you it's honest? Decide for yourself.

Once again we have a reason to question the actual facts about something PSU does publicly and questioning it leads to personal attacks and obfuscation.

You PSU folks have issues.

Why not just be clear and honest about what you do and why you do it?

Or don't come over here and post about it without being fully transparent and not expect the lack of honesty to be pointed out.

What the hell do you guys put in the water over there?

There's no talking to you Screw, your mind is made up because how could the school you hate so much possibly do anything positive for the community? I mean freshman are all brainwashed when they go up there right? Oh well keep drinking the Kool Aid of PSU hate, I must warn you though, when you go up to state college for the game this fall, if you start spewing out this kind of stuff during the game, you will have a miserable experience up there, like you will probably have a black eye if you trying yelling out stuff during the game

 

[Puzio]

Once again we have a reason to question the actual facts about something PSU does publicly and questioning it leads to personal attacks and obfuscation.

Once again, it comes down to the fact that it's PSU. If it was another university, I doubt you'd be on your little crusade where you bash an organization that has raised over $100M to fight cancer.

You PSU folks have issues.

Yes, clearly we're the ones with issues.

Why not just be clear and honest about what you do and why you do it?

It is about coming together and raising money to help children who need it and fight pediatric cancer. That's as clear and honest as you can get.

Or don't come over here and post about it without being fully transparent and not expect the lack of honesty to be pointed out.

Fully transparent? Do you honestly believe that PSU students and alumni all secretly know exactly where every penny goes and we're holding out? Are you one of those people that believe that everyone at Penn State knew that Sandusky was a pedophile and we all collectively kept quiet about it?

What the hell do you guys put in the water over there?

Easy, kool-aid. Isn't that what you wanted to hear?

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Should I be upset when people were collecting in PA for hurricane relief efforts in New Jersey?

Sure, if the money really goes to PSU.

I should also add that my immediate objection was to how the guy in the other thread was treated for just telling the truth about how PSU's Thon incestuously benefits PSU. Without him being attacked for stating the obvious, I would never had bothered with the OP.

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

Is it really bashing though? All they are saying is that the money doesn't really go to the things people claim. The numbers aren't disclosed or reported and as a result, there are some questions.

Hey Screw, Honest question. If it was ANY other university in the united states, would you care?

 

[KidTwist]

The other thread were locked for a reason you guys...

Scarlet Scourge very nice post! Your wisdom in this post is right on point and much appreciated! The level of vitriol on this board towards PSU is crazy! We need to stop the madness of Big 10 on Big 10 hatred it serves NO PURPOSE!!

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

Sure, if the money really goes to PSU.

So if students from Duke or Johns Hopkins were collecting money to help fund further research at their respected hospitals to find a cure for pediatric cancer, how would that be a bad thing?

Why shouldn't people raise additional money to support a part of their university that is doing REAL research and finding REAL cures for pediatric cancer?

 

[Puzio]

The fact that you're trying to lump people who merely question exactly what their selflessly donated money is used for, with people who deny that a culture of football success over kids' well-being existed at PSU for a long time (and in case you weren't paying attention, pnnylion posted doubts that Sandusky was even guilty of pedophilia), tells me that you are an idiot. Peace..

So one lunatic posts on an internet message board that he has doubts about whether Sandusky is guilty and that gives you reason to completely tear down an entire organization and student body that has worked tirelessly to raise over $100M to helping kids with cancer and fighting these dreaded diseases??? Should I judge all Rutgers fans/students/alumni on what RutgersAl says?

 

[rurichdog]

They're starting to swarm...

 

[RUScrew85]

Once again, it comes down to the fact that it's PSU. If it was another university, I doubt you'd be on your little crusade where you bash an organization that has raised over $100M to fight cancer.

It is about coming together and raising money to help children who need it and fight pediatric cancer. That's as clear and honest as you can get.

Yeah if the fundraiser was unclear as to where the money went. Which leads to number 2, Raising money to help children fight cancer after spending a large majority of that money on PSU services to that end.

The issue is that the fund raiser says it is purely for Childhood Cancer but a large majority of the money is spent on PSU services to that end. Are they really the most efficient way to achieve your ends or is it just lets raise funds for PSU research and we'll kick some to the sick kids so we look good?

No one is saying the advertised reason isn't laudable but the lack of transparency as to how the money is spent and what it's spent on is what we are taking issue with. Further, do you really think the PSU administration deserves the benefit of the doubt when these questions are raised. They've proven to be pretty untrustworthy when it comes to telling the truth on issues that they are involved with.

But hey you guys keep attacking and obfuscating when questions are asked.

And lastly how do you know I have a anti-PSU crusade? You have 7 posts. Unless this is your illegal troll account? I think that's bannable...

 

[Mikemarc]

Whether the money goes directly to the families, or to cancer research, what difference does it make?

 

[Mikemarc]

Yeah if the fundraiser was unclear as to where the money went. Which leads to number 2, Raising money to help children fight cancer after spending a large majority of that money on PSU services to that end.

The issue is that the fund raiser says it is purely for Childhood Cancer but a large majority of the money is spent on PSU services to that end. Are they really the most efficient way to achieve your ends or is it just lets raise funds for PSU research and we'll kick some to the sick kids so we look good?

No one is saying the advertised reason isn't laudable but the lack of transparency as to how the money is spent and what it's spent on is what we are taking issue with. Further, do you really think the PSU administration deserves the benefit of the doubt when these questions are raised. They've proven to be pretty untrustworthy when it comes to telling the truth on issues that they are involved with.

But hey you guys keep attacking and obfuscating when questions are asked.

And lastly how do you know I have a anti-PSU crusade? You have 7 posts. Unless this is your illegal troll account? I think that's bannable...

Do you have ANY proof of that?? Just because there isn't a detailed list of where the money goes, doesn't mean it's not going to where they say it is.

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

The fact that you're trying to lump people who merely question exactly what their selflessly donated money is used for, with people who deny that a culture of football success over kids' well-being existed at PSU for a long time (and in case you weren't paying attention, pnnylion posted doubts that Sandusky was even guilty of pedophilia), tells me that you are an idiot. Peace..

No these people aren't "Merely questioning" anything, they are bashing for no other reason than they hate penn state. If this was ANY other school in the country everyone on here would be applauding these student's efforts but since it's PSU, idiots like you find a way to make it about Sandusky like you just did because for some reason it helps you sleep at night.

Look, I want to beat Penn State next year just like you do, but your being incredibly ignorant and remarkably disrespectful to these kids who raise literally Tens of Millions of dollars every year that goes to further research and financial support of children and families fighting this awful disease. It is the worst news you can possibly get as a parent, and this school and these kids build relationships with these families... They invite the kids to football games, cookouts, social events and make it completely about the kids. As I said in an earlier post, if you bash thon and students raising money for a wonderful cause, than you suck as a person, Your the equivalant of Nickleback in my eyes

 

[Section118]

So if students from Duke or Johns Hopkins were collecting money to help fund further research at their respected hospitals to find a cure for pediatric cancer, how would that be a bad thing?

Why shouldn't people raise additional money to support a part of their university that is doing REAL research and finding REAL cures for pediatric cancer?

So PSU does get money from the donations?

 

[Puzio]

Yeah if the fundraiser was unclear as to where the money went. Which leads to number 2, Raising money to help children fight cancer after spending a large majority of that money on PSU services to that end.

The issue is that the fund raiser says it is purely for Childhood Cancer but a large majority of the money is spent on PSU services to that end. Are they really the most efficient way to achieve your ends or is it just lets raise funds for PSU research and we'll kick some to the sick kids so we look good?

No one is saying the advertised reason isn't laudable but the lack of transparency as to how the money is spent and what it's spent on is what we are taking issue with. Further, do you really think the PSU administration deserves the benefit of the doubt when these questions are raised. They've proven to be pretty untrustworthy when it comes to telling the truth on issues that they are involved with.

But hey you guys keep attacking and obfuscating when questions are asked.

And lastly how do you know I have a anti-PSU crusade? You have 7 posts. Unless this is your illegal troll account? I think that's bannable...

I can tell you have an anti-PSU crusade simply by the posts in this thread. Clearly, Penn State is not capable of any good in your eyes. If something positive comes out of there, immediately something must be questioned. I have my own personal rivalry with many schools, but I understand that that's all it is and stop well short of bashing anything and everything related to those schools. I certainly wouldn't bash another school and their students and alumni for the charitable work they do. You'd probably do yourself some good (and make your therapist's job a little easier) by not registering everything PSU as evil.

No, this isn't a troll account. Frankly, I thought I'd give BWI a try (I prefer BSD) and I stopped over here to see how the Rutgers people are. I find RutgersAl very entertaining and I like the thoughts on Russo's breakout. I was really shocked - and appalled - that some of you feel the need to bash THON. You want to bash Franklin? Go ahead. Paterno? Feel free. I see the occasional pedophile jokes, which I think are juvenile and unnecessary, but whatever. But now blindly attacking THON? Come on.

 

[zappaa]

Madness, where do I give, I haven't seen the students, but I'd be happy to help

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

Yeah if the fundraiser was unclear as to where the money went. Which leads to number 2, Raising money to help children fight cancer after spending a large majority of that money on PSU services to that end.

The issue is that the fund raiser says it is purely for Childhood Cancer but a large majority of the money is spent on PSU services to that end. Are they really the most efficient way to achieve your ends or is it just lets raise funds for PSU research and we'll kick some to the sick kids so we look good?

Wow, unbelievable. I always have something to say but I'm truly speachless. Screw, I'm not trying to be funny here or a jerk or anything like that and I won't respond to you on this subject beyond this post but I am going to prey for you. That has to be the most hateful thing I've ever read on this board, truly astonishing. I'm serious you have my prayers screw.

 

[MADHAT1]

63051_FourDiamonds_2014_AnnReport12.indd - FY14 Four Diamonds Impact Report FINAL.pdf
Page 9
9
(covering 6/30/2013 – 7/1/2014)
Sources of Revenue
Philanthropic Gifts by Source
Penn State Dance Marathon (THON)
....................$13,336,675.18
79%
Four Diamonds Mini-THON
.......................................$3,054,865.07
18%
Special Events/Other Gifts
............................................$279,160.26
2%
Honor/Memorial Gifts
......................................................$93,269.95
>1%
Bequests
...........................................................................$105,550.00
>1%
$16,869,520.46
100%
Interest and Endowment Earnings
.....................
$1,880,591.00
Summary of Revenue
Gifts
..............................................................................$16,869,520.46
90%
Interest and Endowment Earnings
..........................$1,880,591.00
10%
TOTA
l
REVENUE
....................................................
$18,750,111.46
100%
SUMMARY OF SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS
94
¢
OF Every
$1
d o n at e d
directly impacts children
fighting cancer today and
helps improve the path of
kids who will face cancer
in the future.
Uses of Funds
Patient Care & Family Support
Patient Care Providers
.................................................................$1,783,253.00
Patient/Family Support
....................................................................$985,711.00
Research
...............................................................................................$1,929,241.00
Investment in Research Endowments
(Note: These moves were approved and initiated in FY13, but not completed until Q1 FY14.)
Pediatric Molecular Oncology Research
...............................$7,400,000.00
Christopher Millard Chair for Pediatric Cancer Research
..
$1,500,000.00
Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Chair
for Pediatric Cancer Research
...................................$4,600,000.00
Fundraising and Administration
...................................................$1,034,196.00
Scholarship
..............................................................................................$10,000.00
Annual Reserve
................................................................................$8,735,000.00
TOTA
l
USES OF FUNDS
........................................................
$27,977,401.0http://www.fourdiamonds.org/_fourdiamonds/assets/File/FY14 Four Diamonds Impact Report FINAL.pdf

 

[Upstream]

Are you guys really worried about where your buck in a can is going?
My god!

It is certainly more than just a buck in a can. They raise millions of bucks.

But certainly it is legitimate to question where a buck in a can or even a couple pennies in an orange box go. That's why there has been a huge decline in trick or treating for UNICEF.

 

[RUsmrtrthna5thgrdr]

So PSU does get money from the donations?

Penn State University Pediatric Cancer Research Unit does yes. The money that THON uses for penn state is directly tied to finding new ways of fighting and finding a cure for pediatric cancer so does part of the money go to Penn State? Yes, and that money is spent on further research and treatments of pediatric cancer. The four Diamonds fund goes directly to families who are trying to staying financially afloat when their child is going through treatment so that when its over and their child is cancer free, they won't be evicted because they had so many medical bills they couldn't pay their mortgage.

And to answer your next question no, I can't believe it either that some people on here want to criticize this wonderful organization. It's absolutely astonishing to me. I had no clue the level of Hate towards that school no matter what. It's pathetic

 

[BigLou]

Yeah if the fundraiser was unclear as to where the money went. Which leads to number 2, Raising money to help children fight cancer after spending a large majority of that money on PSU services to that end.

The issue is that the fund raiser says it is purely for Childhood Cancer but a large majority of the money is spent on PSU services to that end. Are they really the most efficient way to achieve your ends or is it just lets raise funds for PSU research and we'll kick some to the sick kids so we look good?...

The receipt I have from a donation to Thon is from the Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center and is designated as to the Four Diamonds Fund. You and others here (Upstream) make it sound like the money is going to the PSU General Fund. My receipt says otherwise and I believe that PSU (like Rutgers) has an obligation to use donated money toward the endeavor that the donor requested.

What PSU services are you referring to? The 4 Diamond Fund provides for patient care and research. Anyone who thinks that paying for the salaries of cancer researchers is not doing something for kids with cancer should visit a pediatric cancer ward and ask the parents.

The hospital, through funds raised by 4 Diamonds, most of which are from Thon, fully provides for the medical and emotional needs of the patients and their families. Beyond that they pay the salaries which are necessary to perform research. Thon has been so successful that they are now using money to endow those research positions so that a dip in fundraising in a given year wont effect staffing. This is what Universities do and is a best practice for a serious charity.

I cat believe that this topic has come up again. The complaints here are an embarrassment to this board. Its always the same few. If you don't want to support this charity, don't. Go and support one you feel is more worthy. But don't belittle this charity just because you hate Penn State.

 

[zappaa]

Upstream
I'll leave the questioning of where your pennies or dollar bill goes to you...if you find it understandable, that's fine.
I have no interest In questioning it, I have faith in the kids and most importantly where it goes after that

 

[JQRU91]

It seems like some Penn State fans feel about Thon like they did about Paterno. Just because it's a wonderful organization with a noble purpose doesn't mean it's above examination and criticism. That's called accountability. Without accountability, bad things can happen. Taking a "can do no wrong" attitude toward things that you love can be dangerous.

 

[Upstream]

Upstream
I'll leave the questioning of where your pennies or dollar bill goes to you...if you find it understandable, that's fine.
I have no interest In questioning it, I have faith in the kids and most importantly where it goes after that

That's fine, and certainly your right. I can certainly understand someone saying that the money goes to help fight childhood cancer, and not really care if it is used for patient support or research; both are worthy causes.

But other people may be more deliberate in selecting charities to support (whether with a few bucks or a few thousand bucks). That is also their right. And those people deserve to have charities be honest and transparent about how the money is spent. That is why there are reporting requirements and reporting agencies like GuideStar.

But if you are in the first group, there is really no need to ridicule those in the second group.

 

[Upstream]

You and others here (Upstream) make it sound like the money is going to the PSU General Fund.

If I implied that, I'm sorry. The money (excluding the small amount for administrative and operational costs) clear goes to Penn State Hershey.

 

[Upstream]

Whether the money goes directly to the families, or to cancer research, what difference does it make?

While it may not make a difference to you, it does make a difference to others.

For example, I'm involved in approving research funding for my company. While we we have funded research programs at Hershey, they could not use that budget to provide direct patient care outside of an approved clinical trial.