The 2011-12 THON Summary of Fundraising Activities was released Wednesday night on its website, and THON officials are pleased with the previous year’s success.
Last year, THON raised $10,711,765.43 –– 96.06 percent of that total, or $10,289,884.60, was donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, Public Relations Chairperson Cat Powers (senior-public relations) said.
Powers said that the previous 2010-11 year, the amount of the total funds donated was 96.58 percent, or $9,235,960.94, so the amount from this year has gone down slightly by .52 percent. However, this does not make this year’s donation any less admirable, Powers said.
“You only need 75 percent to be considered a philanthropy, so we’re really proud that we are able to donate more than 96 percent of our funds because it shows how successful we are as an organization,” Powers said.
According to the press release on the Intrafraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon’s website, the income is divided into four categories including individual gifts, corporate gifts, THON store revenue and fundraising events.
“As in every year, we are lucky to receive outstanding support from THON’s donor base,” THON Finance Chairperson Jennifer Stipa wrote in an email. “This year, individuals who made direct gifts to THON donated 85.21 percent of our total funds raised. Corporations, foundations, or small businesses donated an additional 9.67 percent and individuals supporting fundraisers benefiting THON donated 3.46 percent.”
THON Overall Chairperson Will Martin said that canning is included in the largest section of the funds, the individual gifts, but Martin could not release specific details.
“We don’t release the information, but it includes anyone who has written a check or donated cash to THON within the past year,” Martin (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said.
There is a process involved with the 96.06 percent that is being donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, but Martin said that it will get there and be used for whatever they need it for, whether it be research or patient care.
“There is the allocation process, which involves the Four Diamonds Advisory Board and the Penn State Hershey Medical Center,” Martin said. “Then, there is an allocation review where the money should go, and it could go to funding for comprehensive care and treatment, or for research in various areas.”
Stipa (graduate-accounting) wrote that the funds and high percentage represent the overall efficiency of the organization as a whole.
“We are very proud of the percentage of funds that we are able to donate to the Four Diamonds Fund,” Stipa said. “I think it speaks to the dedication of our volunteers, who really allow us to operate as efficiently as we do. It is the THON volunteers that who allow THON to experience continued success, year after year, in our dedication to supporting The Four Diamonds Fund and the fight against pediatric cancer.”
