AARP Chief Operating Officer and AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins Named Among Most Influential Nonprofit Leaders

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NonProfit Times today published its annual listing: NPT Power and Influence Top 50, which this year names AARP Chief Operating Officer and current AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins among one of the most influential nonprofit leaders in the U.S.

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The publication annually highlights 50 of the nonprofit sector's leaders for innovation, influence on the broader sector, and for developing organizational models that can be replicated.

Jenkins has played a significant role in connecting struggling older adults to community resources and directing the organization's work both locally and nationally. A proven innovator, Jenkins joined AARP Foundation in 2010 and has led the organization's far-reaching development and social impact initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to Drive to End Hunger, a national effort by AARP and AARP Foundation to help the millions of older Americans who struggle with hunger every day. To date, the initiative has donated more than 23 million meals. What's more, AARP Foundation donated millions of dollars to help in various disaster relief efforts.

Under Jenkins' leadership, AARP Foundation designed and implemented a program evaluation framework that allows the Foundation to reliably articulate the level of positive change achieved by its programs, the associated cost and to measure the impact. Moreover, the Foundation's overall donor base increased by 90 percent over two years.

"We congratulate Jo Ann for receiving this honor and applaud her for her unwavering dedication to making sure struggling older adults are getting access to essentials," said AARP CEO A. Barry Rand.  "Under her leadership, AARP Foundation made tremendous strides in making a significant, and positive impact on the lives of vulnerable 50+ adults, their families and communities."

The executives selected for the top 50 list will be honored for their work at a gala next month, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, strengthen communities, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.   

SOURCE AARP