Go to the source
Posted by CommMgr  |  September 8, 2009 6:43:02 AM

The PBTF invites members of the public to contact us directly to discuss our financial statements and fundraising activities. We welcome the opportunity to provide detailed, accurate information to all interested parties. Please call 800-253-6530 and ask for Brian Traynor (executive director) or Don Goden (chief financial officer). More information about us, including our annual report, is available at www.pbtfus.org.

PBTF
Posted by A Dad's Story  |  April 13, 2009 5:49:12 AM

I am so happy to see the foundation getting such a high rating. I had a child with brain cancer. He survived 6 years with it. I can't begin to say how much the foundation helped in sponsoring proticols he was in and I feel they should have a lot of the credit for his living for 6 years (1998-2004). We were told the night it was discovered that the best we could expect, in his condition, would be maybe 18 months survival! He made it for 6 years with several recurrences!. The foundation was also very helpful in finding a Hospice for him. Very hard for a child! They also were so supportive through everything and didn't drop us from the support just because we ran out of treatment options. It is a wonderful program. The kids love the rides and they will not give up until a cure and better treatments can be found!

Too many Traynors?
Posted by Flaherty  |  March 4, 2009 11:35:21 AM

The issue is not whether the Traynors are nice people, it is whether nepotism will cloud their judgment with respect to hiring, performance and salary issues. If the foundation faces tough financial choices, will the compensation and employment of any family member be examined with the same scrutiny that the compensation of a non-family member? Are three Traynors really providing the same level of service, for the compensation, as would three unrelated parties who need to perform in order to keep their jobs?

Traynor Family
Posted by FiscalIntegrity  |  January 16, 2009 6:52:28 AM

I am the spouse of a former PBTF and RFK employee. They are the highest example of fiscal integrity and are careful stewards of even the smallest donation. Not one penny is spent without careful thought and debate.

I have volunteered with many non-profits and truly learned the meaning of fiscal responsibility from watching them.

Not one act of theirs is fake or inappropriate. Although we are not affiliated with the organization through employment, I have the utmost respect for their actions and decisions.

Have no doubt, they are responsible with every penny they receive.

Staffing for Nonprofits
Posted by AceGoet  |  January 14, 2009 11:16:22 AM

I can understand the questions around the Traynor family and suggest that before you donate, get involved in one of thier events. This will give you some exposure to PBTF, the Traynor's, and the rest of the staff and volunteers.

Per the comment about Brian not having any nonprofit experiance, I actually applaud that aspect. We need more business leaders involved in these organizations. One of the largest issues with the nonprofit community is its insetual relationship of people who, when they fail, simply pick up and move to another nonprofit only to pull the same stunts as they did at their last job.

Accountability for performance and measuring output is sorely lacking and is not a number that can be soley captured in something like a 'travel budget'. We need more business leaders in these organizations.

By the way, I am a donor to this cause and have had the opportunity to speak to Brian directly...which he would do with any one of you would would like to know more about PBTF, himself, or the founders.

Very reputable group.

Mother of a son who died of a brain tumor
Posted by Parent  |  August 13, 2008 11:37:31 AM

I got involved with PBTF 4 years ago when my son was a "star" rider. After he passed away I became involved in the fund raising aspect of this program. No one works harder than Mike and Diane Traynor. Their son gave up a lucrative business to help them run the organization since they are getting older and needed more support. They supported us when my son was sick and had he lived they would have given him a college scholarship. They fund research and are looked upon highly by many of the pediatric brain tumor specialists in our major hospitals. In the past they supported a Dr. who received the Nobel prize in medicine for his work on brain tumors in children. While my son was alive they provided family support and education materials. I personally know the Traynor family and know how much they put their hearts into making this organization a success. Because they are located in Ashville, NC. and there are rides across the US, they are required to do a lot of traveling, none of which is for pleasure, and much of which is exhausting. This is another reason their son has become involved. The traveling is done because it needs to be done to keep the foundation going. Last year my family and friends raised approx. $36,000 and we would not have done that if we did not have complete faith in this organization. I have complete confidence in this organization and that it can only help those families who are dealing with pediatric brain tumors.

How is this allowed and more? ??
Posted by Louis V  |  August 13, 2008 11:36:25 AM

First let me state that it is everyone's responsibility to donate responsibly. Having said that, I must assume that concerns posted here have not been throughly investigated by 4 out of the 5 persons posting opinions. The National Ride for Kids program benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. This program puts on 37 fund raising events across America annually. And Yes! this is a Motorcycling fund raising event. However unlike most other fund raising events associated with motorcycles, it is not just some excuse for a big party. First with the exception of the small paid staff located in North Carolina, everybody is a non paid volunteer. This organization is now in its 25th year. Mike and Dianne Traynor are not only the CEO and Secretary, they are the Founders of this charity. In the beginning they volunteered their time. They organized the first few Ride for Kids events. Having been through this disease watching a close friend of their family lose a child to a Pediatric Brain Tumor, they made the commitment to do something about it. In 1991 they both left executive careers to do this full time. This was truly a leap of faith. However it was something they knew they had to do. They have dedicated the rest of their lives to improving the lives of these courageous kids and their families. The choice of having Brian Traynor come on board was made by the independant 9 member board of directors. He too left a executive position with a major corporation in order to continue his parents legacy. That should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Brian. He was formally a US Army Capt and a Airbone Ranger. He too made a huge leap of faith not only for himself, but also for his wife and kids. Along with Brian, all the staff at the PBTF are dedicated to the Mission Statement. I invite anyone to come out to any of the remaining Ride for kids events and see for yourself what this is all about.

Louis Vanderveen

Inside Information
Posted by Chris Kernion  |  August 13, 2008 11:35:44 AM

I have read the previous comments and fully appreciate the fact that everyone wants to do the proper investigation before giving away their hard earned dollars. I was in that very same boat in November of 2000. At that time my daughter Meredith had just passed away from a very rare but deadly brain tumor that generally affects very young children. After being there with our daughter through the months of brain surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, my wife and I decided that we had to do what we could to prevent other children and families from going through this. After doing extensive research on the foundations that were involved with childhood brain tumors, we decided to donate to/raise money for the PBTFUS because (1) they were the only foundation focused on finding the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors and (2) they took great care in controlling expenses and making sure the best possible research was conducted with the dollars raised. After a few successful fundraising campaigns, I was asked to be on the Board of Directors (total board compensation to date = $0).

As a current board member, I wanted you to know that the Mike and Dianne Traynor's compensation is set by the other members of the board based on (1) the overall performance of the foundation and their contribution to that performance (2) appropriate external benchmarks and (3) internal equity or comparison to other key members of the foundation staff. Further, the decision to hire Brian Traynor was made by the board members. Mike and Dianne excluded themselves from this decision because of the potential conflict. After extensive interviews and other appropriate due diligence, Brian was chosen because of his successful business track record, professional attitude, valuable skill set, and his extreme passion for the cause (partially evidenced by the substantial pay cut he took to work with the PBTFUS). To date, we have been very pleased with his contribution.

How is this allowed and more?
Posted by josey  |  July 14, 2008 12:14:52 PM

I have made sure always that my money goes to reaaly help others. This charity really concerns me. The family situation seems shady to me at best. The finances of this operation also aren't spent on what they say. I did find what is called a tax form 990 and they claim program expenses for what appears to be their major method of fundraising which is motorcycles. Check out their travel expenses. Appears they are living the good life on public money.

Critical Thinker must be one of them. If he really checked them out he wouldn't be so defensive. Next step may be to call in the state?? Lots of other good charities for brain tumor helph. Stay away froom this one.

Family Executives Raise Suspicion
Posted by Craigw23  |  June 2, 2008 10:23:00 AM

As correspondent "wriskit" aptly pointed out, adding family members to the executive staff of a particular charity increases the suspicion of prospective donors. This may be perfectly legitimate and each of the people involved completely competent. But, when so much money is being expended to one family, one can't help but be concerned.

Yes, check them out. I did. Here's what I found.
Posted by CriticalThinker  |  May 30, 2008 5:38:31 AM

Independent Board members interviewed and recommended hiring Brian Traynor as potential successor.

This organization is almost single handedly responsible for having started and enabled medical research on childhood brain tumors, which are the most deadly disease to children in the US. 9 more kids are diagnosed every day and almost 50% of them won't make it. These people are doing something about that and doing it without inflating the money taken out of the organization. They are also highly respected in the medical community, not just for the funding of research, but for aiding in fostering collaborative research between researchers who otherwise would not share their work for financial and other reasons.

Do ask the critical questions and report what you find. That's what I'm doing.

Sniping comments don't benefit anyone, though. Thanks to Charity Navigator for checking these guys and others out.

dubious cozy family relationship
Posted by wriskit  |  March 27, 2008 5:42:54 AM

I give only to 3 and 4 star charities, but was concerned over the the Chairman and Secretary being Traynors. I always fear charities being used as a business in disguise. Adding another family member to the staff increases my concern. I will do more investigation before adding this one to my list.

Executive Staff
Posted by sue853  |  January 17, 2008 9:56:58 AM

Mike Traynor is the paid President of the foundation and also the Chairman of the Board. His wife Dianne Traynor is the paid Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary of the Board. Now his Brian Traynor, who has no nonprofit experience, has recently been hired as the paid Executive Director. Seems highly improper if not unethical. Should be looked into.