State Penn Thon out canning today

Local Shill

All-American
Aug 30, 2001
21,535
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just saw them at a deli in Middlesex County two towns from New Brunswick.

Good for them
 
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RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,734
0
Yeah, except that nobody knows what they do with the money.

Thon turns over all of its collections (96%, anyway) to the Four Diamonds Fund - annually, between $12 and $14 million.

The Fund, which is affiliated with the PSU med centers, is intended to directly benefit patients and families, i.e. cover the uninsured costs of pediatric cancer patients.

Approximately 5% of the total is used for that purpose. None of the affiliated organizations - Thon, Four Diamonds or PSU - will disclose where the rest of the money goes.

Because both charitable organizations operate under the umbrella of the university they are not required to file a Form 990.
 

PSU_Nut_rivals17625

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
14,642
2,610
113
Yeah, except that nobody knows what they do with the money.

Thon turns over all of its collections (96%, anyway) to the Four Diamonds Fund - annually, between $12 and $14 million.

The Fund, which is affiliated with the PSU med centers, is intended to directly benefit patients and families, i.e. cover the uninsured costs of pediatric cancer patients.

Approximately 5% of the total is used for that purpose. None of the affiliated organizations - Thon, Four Diamonds or PSU - will disclose where the rest of the money goes.

Because both charitable organizations operate under the umbrella of the university they are not required to file a Form 990.
Yes they do disclose the information. Just because you can't do a simple google search and find the answer doesn't mean it doesn't exist.


SUMMARY OF SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS

Philanthropic Gifts by source

THON $10,262,256 60%

Mini-THON $5,497,215 32%

Special Events/Other Gifts $1,252,615 7%

Honor/Memorial Gifts $103,512 1%

Bequests $10,100 0%

Total Fundraising $17,125,698

USES OF FUNDS

Patient Care and Family Support

Patient/Family Support $715,097

Patient Care Providers $2,494,688

Research

Research Institute $320,841

Research Grants $884,604

Research Support $3,429,093

Investment in Research Endowments

Epigenetics $4,000,000

Millard Endowment $600,000

Administrative Expenses $1,651,109

TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $14,095,432


http://www.fourdiamonds.org/_fourdiamonds/assets/File/FY16 Financials.pdf
 
Last edited:

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,734
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So not it not a full disclosure. First it was they don't say where the m goes to. Can you stick to one story? What level of detail do u want?

I want a Form 990, just like every other charity files. I want to see opening balances, closing balances, cash on hand, distributions, compensation, investments, etc.

The 2 page flyer they hand out explains nothing at all. I would never - NEVER - donate charitable dollars to an organization that intentionally obscures its finances.
 

GSGS

Heisman
Aug 2, 2001
29,173
23,424
113
Yes they do disclose the information. Just because you can't do a simple google search and find the answer doesn't mean it doesn't exist.


SUMMARY OF SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS

Philanthropic Gifts by source

THON $10,262,256 60%

Mini-THON $5,497,215 32%

Special Events/Other Gifts $1,252,615 7%

Honor/Memorial Gifts $103,512 1%

Bequests $10,100 0%

Total Fundraising $17,125,698

USES OF FUNDS

Patient Care and Family Support

Patient/Family Support $715,097

Patient Care Providers $2,494,688

Research

Research Institute $320,841

Research Grants $884,604

Research Support $3,429,093

Investment in Research Endowments

Epigenetics $4,000,000

Millard Endowment $600,000

Administrative Expenses $1,651,109

TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $14,095,432


http://www.fourdiamonds.org/_fourdiamonds/assets/File/FY16 Financials.pdf

... and the remaining $3 mil goes to - Second Mile perhaps?
 

BuggsyRU

All-American
Mar 22, 2007
7,057
5,668
0
Yes they do disclose the information. Just because you can't do a simple google search and find the answer doesn't mean it doesn't exist.


SUMMARY OF SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS

Philanthropic Gifts by source

THON $10,262,256 60%

Mini-THON $5,497,215 32%

Special Events/Other Gifts $1,252,615 7%

Honor/Memorial Gifts $103,512 1%

Bequests $10,100 0%

Total Fundraising $17,125,698

USES OF FUNDS

Patient Care and Family Support

Patient/Family Support $715,097

Patient Care Providers $2,494,688

Research

Research Institute $320,841

Research Grants $884,604

Research Support $3,429,093

Investment in Research Endowments

Epigenetics $4,000,000

Millard Endowment $600,000

Administrative Expenses $1,651,109

TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $14,095,432


http://www.fourdiamonds.org/_fourdiamonds/assets/File/FY16 Financials.pdf
What the hell is "Research Support", and why does it require $3.43 million dollars?

And they say they raised $17.1 million, but show how $14.1 million is used.
What about the other $3 million that they don'e even try to explain?
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,734
0
What the hell is "Research Support", and why does it require $3.43 million dollars?

And they say they raided $17.1 million, but show how $14.1 million is used.
What about the other $3 million that they don'e even try to explain?

It's not about $3 million in one year. It's about $3 million every year.

Since 2008 they've skimmed $45 million that's completely unaccounted for. Since they don't file any form of full financial disclosure, that money is essentially gone as far as the donors are concerned.
 

BuggsyRU

All-American
Mar 22, 2007
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5,668
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It's not about $3 million in one year. It's about $3 million every year.

Since 2008 they've skimmed $45 million that's completely unaccounted for. Since they don't file any form of full financial disclosure, that money is essentially gone as far as the donors are concerned.

I think it's more than that, especially when you look at breakdowns like:

Research Institute $320,841
Research Grants $884,604
Research Support $3,429,093

where $1.2 million is going to research, and nearly three times that to "research support." 3X?

Shady to say the least.
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,713
62,703
113
I want a Form 990, just like every other charity files. I want to see opening balances, closing balances, cash on hand, distributions, compensation, investments, etc.

The 2 page flyer they hand out explains nothing at all. I would never - NEVER - donate charitable dollars to an organization that intentionally obscures its finances.
Yep. Be above board, file the damn form.
What a shock that something associated with State Penn is shady as hell.
I know. Stunning, isn't it?
 

PSU_Nut_rivals17625

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
14,642
2,610
113
Yep. Be above board, file the damn form.

I know. Stunning, isn't it?
They do...it filed under Penn State’s reporting. I know it a difficult concept for some but it a find within the university. Does Rutger athletic department file a 990? It the same reason. Is Rutgers athletics not above board?
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
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They do...it filed under Penn State’s reporting. I know it a difficult concept for some but it a find within the university. Does Rutger athletic department file a 990? It the same reason. Is Rutgers athletics not above board?

You're a special kind of stupid, aren't you? It's not even remotely the same.

Unless you're suggesting that PSU is diverting Thon donations to the athletic department. Which wouldn't surprise me.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
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So only 4% goes to support the families?

Direct support, yes. The rest of the patient support funding is "indirect", i.e. it pays "care providers", also known as PSU Health. The non-patient funding is allocated to the aforementioned administrative / research stuff. And, of course, 20-25% of the overall total is getting paper-bagged.

What's really peculiar is the existence of the whole "Four Diamonds" middleman. Thon is a student-run charitable organization which collects money from donors and gives 96% of it to Four Diamonds. The **only** purpose of Four Diamonds is to take that money, clip 9% off the top and give the rest to PSU Health.

So... to paraphrase The Bobs... Why doesn't Thon just give the money directly to PSU Health? What does Four Diamonds do here?
 

RU62

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2001
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Regardless, what's amazing is how much money they raise and especially how they cover NJ. Unfortunately we don't see the same NJ coverage by Rutgers students when the do the cancer marathon or other worthwhile charity events. Come on Rutgers students learn from a group that is scooping you right in our own backyard.

For information sakes but does any Rutgers organization file a 990 for the Dance Marathon or related events. While I am unfamiliar with this but there are forms required for charities. I know if you are a 501c3 you must file a report annually etc.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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Regardless, what's amazing is how much money they raise and especially how they cover NJ. Unfortunately we don't see the same NJ coverage by Rutgers students when the do the cancer marathon or other worthwhile charity events. Come on Rutgers students learn from a group that is scooping you right in our own backyard.

For information sakes but does any Rutgers organization file a 990 for the Dance Marathon or related events. While I am unfamiliar with this but there are forms required for charities. I know if you are a 501c3 you must file a report annually etc.

It's an impressive fund raising feat, for certain. But, once again, we have a scenario where people on the ground trying to do good are being taken advantage of by the institution that is Penn State.

FWIW, none of these university-affiliated charities are required to file a 990 because they're not organized under 501. Because they're part of the university, they're organized under section 170, "government entity". 170 (c) (1) groups are not required to file.
 
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ORD_Buckeye

Sophomore
Apr 30, 2005
5,571
141
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Yes they do disclose the information. Just because you can't do a simple google search and find the answer doesn't mean it doesn't exist.


SUMMARY OF SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS

Philanthropic Gifts by source

THON $10,262,256 60%

Mini-THON $5,497,215 32%

Special Events/Other Gifts $1,252,615 7%

Honor/Memorial Gifts $103,512 1%

Bequests $10,100 0%

Total Fundraising $17,125,698

USES OF FUNDS

Patient Care and Family Support

Patient/Family Support $715,097

Patient Care Providers $2,494,688

Research

Research Institute $320,841

Research Grants $884,604

Research Support $3,429,093

Investment in Research Endowments

Epigenetics $4,000,000

Millard Endowment $600,000

Administrative Expenses $1,651,109

TOTAL USES OF FUNDS $14,095,432


http://www.fourdiamonds.org/_fourdiamonds/assets/File/FY16 Financials.pdf

So the above poster is correct. Only 5% of the funds go directly to patient/family care and support, which is the ostensible reason for the campaign. Most of it goes to PSU research funds. If a NJ resident wants to donate for cancer research there are actual NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers in New Brunswick, NYC and Philly to which they should be donating rather than an undistinguished 4th tier medical center in Hershey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCI-designated_Cancer_Center#Comprehensive_cancer_centers
 
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RUin2WIN

Senior
Sep 24, 2014
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449
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rupop2

All-Conference
Aug 4, 2014
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Direct support, yes. The rest of the patient support funding is "indirect", i.e. it pays "care providers", also known as PSU Health. The non-patient funding is allocated to the aforementioned administrative / research stuff. And, of course, 20-25% of the overall total is getting paper-bagged.

What's really peculiar is the existence of the whole "Four Diamonds" middleman. Thon is a student-run charitable organization which collects money from donors and gives 96% of it to Four Diamonds. The **only** purpose of Four Diamonds is to take that money, clip 9% off the top and give the rest to PSU Health.

So... to paraphrase The Bobs... Why doesn't Thon just give the money directly to PSU Health? What does Four Diamonds do here?
Ow I feel like a total fool for giving them $$$ outside a bagel place in Tenafly. Won’t make that mistake again
 
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GoodOl'Rutgers

Heisman
Sep 11, 2006
123,974
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I want a Form 990, just like every other charity files. I want to see opening balances, closing balances, cash on hand, distributions, compensation, investments, etc.

The 2 page flyer they hand out explains nothing at all. I would never - NEVER - donate charitable dollars to an organization that intentionally obscures its finances.
More than double what goes to families goes to administrative support? Does making out that flyer cost that much?

And none of it goes to NJ kids.. so why let them can in NJ?
 
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RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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More than double what goes to families goes to administrative support? Does making out that flyer cost that much?

Ironically, the reason that Four Diamonds gave to the press re: not producing a full financial disclosure was "it costs too much to print".
 
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GoodOl'Rutgers

Heisman
Sep 11, 2006
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Ironically, the reason that Four Diamonds gave to the press re: not producing a full financial disclosure was "it costs too much to print".
IIRC.. the number they give now are much better than they have been in the past.. but this is still largely just Penn State using kids to fund their own professors doing research... if they were top researchers in the field of pediatric cancer maybe they'd have an argument.. but they are not.
 
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