Jennifer Lohse, CNP

About Jennifer Lohse

Jennifer Lohse, CNP, is Vice President of External Relations at Tucson Foundations and an active leader within the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). With more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, she writes about volunteer engagement, data-informed giving, and systems that help communities thrive. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

SAVMA Members: Join the America Gives Initiative

SAVMA Members: Join the America Gives Initiative As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a national call to service is taking shape through America Gives. This initiative invites organizations to mobilize volunteers, strengthen communities, and highlight the impact of service across the country. For SAVMA members, the America Gives volunteer initiative presents a clear opportunity to lead. Why the America Gives Initiative Matters Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) play [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|April 2nd, 2026|Categories: Align- Professional learning, standards, and competencies.|Tags: America 250, America Gives, civic engagement, National Initiatives|0 Comments

SAVMA Leadership Supports the 2026 Volunteer Generation Fund

SAVMA supports the 2026 Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF), a national initiative led by AmeriCorps. This support reflects SAVMA’s commitment to strengthening volunteer engagement across Southern Arizona and beyond. The VGF plays a critical role in building sustainable volunteer programs. Specifically, it invests in capacity, training, and systems that help organizations recruit and retain volunteers. As a result, nonprofits can deliver stronger and more consistent community impact. At the same [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|March 12th, 2026|Categories: Announcements & News, Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

Volunteer Awards 2026

SAVMA Volunteer Awards 2026 Relive the excitement and celebration of the SAVMA Volunteer Awards 2026 presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. Check out our Event Program. Our wonderful photographers from Sol Focus Media, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page (no account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you leave the page! [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|January 30th, 2026|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

Community Service Recognition Irene Coppola

Community Service Recognition: Irene Coppola In January, Southern Arizona celebrated volunteerism at the SAVMA Awards, presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family. Junior Achievement of Arizona submitted Community Service Recognition: Irene Coppola, in honor of a dedicated spirit of service. Organizations submitted individuals and groups for Community Service Recognition to share stories of local volunteerism. Supported by: Irene Coppola: Junior [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|January 21st, 2026|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

Complimentary ELEVATE 2026 Conference Registrations for SAVMA Members

Complimentary ELEVATE 2026 Conference Registrations for SAVMA Members Category: Your Content Goes Here Complimentary ELEVATE Conference Registration SAVMA Leaders announce a limited professional development opportunity for members. Thanks to the generosity of Tucson Foundations, SAVMA received five complimentary registrations for the ELEVATE 2026 Conference to benefit our members. Each registration has a fair market value of $125 and is fully underwritten to support learning, connection, and [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|December 30th, 2025|Categories: Align- Professional learning, standards, and competencies., Insights|Tags: Conferences & Training, ELEVATE Conference, Nonprofit Professional Development, SAVMA Members, Volunteer Engagement Professionals|Comments Off

Thriving Together: Self-Care for Volunteer Success

Thriving Together: Self-Care for Volunteer Success Volunteer engagement professionals often carry out meaningful work that touches many lives. The work requires compassion, patience, and focus. Because of this, stress can build quickly. As a result, personal well-being may fade into the background. However, healthy leadership grows when balance and boundaries come first. These ideas guide Thriving Together: Self-Care for Volunteer Success, a session led by Dr. Melissa Hernandez, Jessica [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|November 19th, 2025|Categories: Align- Professional learning, standards, and competencies.|Comments Off

Annual Meeting Agenda 2025 | Amended SAVMA Bylaws and Year in Review

Welcome to SAVMA’s Annual Meeting! Each year, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) gathers our community of Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) for our Annual Meeting — a cornerstone of connection, learning, and reflection. It’s our opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, elect our leadership, and look forward to the next chapter of growth guided by our strategic plan. This year’s agenda features something significant — an in-person vote [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|November 18th, 2025|Categories: Announcements & News|Comments Off

Announcing the SAVMA Award 2026 Honorees

Announcing the SAVMA Award 2026 Honorees The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is thrilled to announce the honorees of the SAVMA Awards 2026. Celebrated on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center. These distinguished awardees exemplify the best of volunteerism, leadership, and community engagement across Southern Arizona. We invite you to join us as we celebrate their achievements, honor their contributions, and uplift the [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|September 10th, 2025|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Tags: #SAVMAAwards2026, #VolunteerAwards|Comments Off

Understanding SAVMA’s Proposed Bylaws Changes

Understanding SAVMA’s Proposed Bylaws Changes What’s Changing and Why It Matters The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is updating its bylaws—the rules that govern the organization's operations. These changes reflect today’s volunteer engagement field, create more flexibility for members, and prepare SAVMA for long-term growth and success. Read the read-lined version of the revised Bylaws in their entirety here>>>>>>>>>> With this in mind, here are the key updates: [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|September 1st, 2025|Categories: Announcements & News|Comments Off

Brenda Meller at the 2026 SAVMA Volunteer Awards

Introducing the SAVMA Awards Keynote Speaker: Brenda Meller Inspiring Volunteer Engagement in a Time of Renewal Across the United States, volunteerism is experiencing a renaissance. More than 75 million Americans—28.3% of the population—formally volunteered between 2022 and 2023. As a result, they collectively contributed nearly 5 billion hours of service valued at $167 billion. Furthermore, Arizona alone outpaced the national average with a 30% formal volunteering rate while also [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|August 15th, 2025|Categories: Align- Professional learning, standards, and competencies., Connect- facilitate access, relationships, and participation in the ecosystem, Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

10 Tips to Increase Your Odds of Writing a Winning Volunteer Award Nomination

10 Tips to Increase Your Odds of Writing a Winning Volunteer Award Nomination In a world where acts of kindness and community support often go unnoticed, volunteer awards provide a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on those who dedicate their time and energy to making a positive impact. Writing a winning volunteer award nomination is an art that requires both heartfelt storytelling and strategic presentation. Whether you're nominating [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|July 25th, 2025|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

Accommodating Volunteers with ADHD | Every Mind Contributes

🌟 Why ADHD Inclusion Matters in Volunteerism Volunteer programs succeed when every person feels seen, supported, and empowered to serve. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of adults worldwide, yet volunteer settings rarely consider how to accommodate neurodivergent volunteers. Inclusive practices aren’t just ethical—they improve team performance, retention, and community impact. 💙 SAVMA’s vision of a connected network of Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) depends on acknowledging that volunteers bring diverse [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|July 13th, 2025|Categories: Insights, Member Voices|Comments Off

Community Service Recognition 2026

By Jennifer Lohse|May 1st, 2025|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Tags: #SAVMAAwards2026, #VolunteerAwards, Awards, sponosrs|Comments Off

Tax Considerations for 2025 | PD & Volunteer Deductions

💰 Tax Considerations for 2025: Paying It Forward and Paying It Yourself 👋 Welcome! Every March, as tax season rolls around, many of us review receipts, registrations, and charitable acknowledgments with a mix of curiosity and confusion. For Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs), there’s often a double challenge:1️⃣ Managing your own professional-development expenses.2️⃣ Guiding your volunteers who ask, “Can I deduct my volunteer mileage or training?” This post offers [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|March 7th, 2025|Categories: Insights|Tags: CliftonLarsonAllen, deductions, IRS Publications 526 and 1771, Nonprofit Leadership, Professional Development, taxes, Volunteer Engagement|Comments Off

SAVMA Awards 2025 | Growing Public Celebration of Volunteerism

SAVMA Awards 2025 We hope you were able to join us for celebration of the SAVMA Awards 2025. A copy of our Event Program can be downloaded in PDF format. Our wonderful photographers from Delta Productions, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page. (No account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you leave the page! [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|January 16th, 2025|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off

SAVMA Awards 2024

SAVMA Awards 2024 Relive the excitement and celebration of the SAVMA Awards 2024 presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. A copy of our Event Program can be downloaded in PDF format. Our wonderful photographers from Delta Productions, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page. (No account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you [...]

By Jennifer Lohse|January 23rd, 2024|Categories: Empower– Recognition, promotion, and impact|Comments Off