Name: Tanner Bohlender
Instagram: tanman.b1
Website: https://uncommongiving.com/np/heart-of-phoenix
Age: 19
Title: Uncommon Giving Intern / GCU Student
Married/Single: Single
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes… a morning run or bike ride before getting the day started. This helps me wake up and prepare my body and mind for the day ahead. After getting ready and having breakfast, I am off to my morning classes. Typically, I like to get all of my classes done in the morning, so that I have the afternoon to work. Before going into work, I usually grab lunch on campus with one of my friends.
After lunch, I’m off to work at Uncommon Giving in GCU’s Innovation Center. My co-worker Giselle and I spend this time working on the Heart of Phoenix UGIV Fund and any other relevant projects.
Depending on what night of the week it is, my evenings typically consist of church related programs or homework. I am life leader at GCU, so I host a weekly bible study for the residents in my dorm. When I am not leading life group or working on homework, I spend time with my wonderful friends who love and encourage me. Whatever the night entails, I feel fulfilled from a productive days work and the deep connections I made in the process.
I was born… in Littleton, Colorado
My favorite thing about Arizona… is the climate! I have lived in Arizona for 15 years now and I love that I can cycle and run outdoors all-year round. It gets hot in the summer, but the other eight months of the year are awesome!
I’m listening to… any type of worship music!
My family… is three of my best friends! I am so blessed to have a loving, supportive, and caring family that I can always depend on. Even though I live on campus, I am always so excited to go home and see them over breaks.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… Jesus. As a Christian, it would be amazing to have dinner with Jesus like the original disciples. I sure would have a lot to talk about with him!
One thing I cannot live without… is connection to those I love. Whether it be my family, friends, or girlfriend, I love to spend time with those I’m closest with.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a geologist. Considering that I’m interested in working in counseling, non-profits, or ministry, this sure has changed!
I’m inspired by… my faith in Jesus and the ways that he is moving in and through me.
The one person who motivates me is… not necessarily a single person. Working in the non-profit industry, I am inspired by the daily displays of selflessness that I witness by those I work with.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… the suffering of those struggling with addiction and substance abuse. I know that I can’t solve the problem of addiction in our world, but I sure can do my part to help even just one person along the way.
The perfect day would be… one where I am out in nature with family and friends. Perhaps out hiking, cycling, or walking the beach.
My first job was… as a server at Wildflower Bread Company.
My favorite escape… is the great outdoors! Whether I am out mountain biking, running, or hiking, I love to reconnect with nature.
My life… is a blessed opportunity to love and serve others around me.
I’m currently working on… the Heart of Phoenix UGIV Fund. When my friend Giselle and I found out that 18% of Phoenix’s population is below the poverty line, we knew we wanted to help.
Families struggling with poverty place children at risk of addiction, human trafficking, and educational illiteracy. It can be challenging to break the vicious cycle of poverty from being passed to future generations.
To break this cycle, we created the Heart of Phoenix Giving Fund supporting nonprofits who provide solutions to at-risk youth and their families.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 for the hurting in our city, and in doing so, transform lives.
If you’d like to help, check out the link in my profile!
Always… view life’s challenges as an opportunity to grow.
Never… accept the negative self-talk in your head.
Favorite Quote… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:2-3 ESV
Biggest Dream… is to figure out a way that I can integrate my two biggest passions, ministry and helping those struggling with addiction.
My Pet Peeve(s)… Wasting time and feeling unproductive.
More About Tanner Bohlender:
I was born in Littleton, Colorado where I spent my first few years of life. When I was four years old, my family and I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. I attended k-12 school here in the valley, and eventually graduated from Chaparral High School in 2019. After graduation, I decided to pursue a degree in Counseling with an Emphasis in Substance Abuse and Addiction at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. In the second semester of my freshman year, I got accepted into Uncommon Giving’s internship program. For over a year now, I have been working with Uncommon Giving to awaken generosity in my community. I am going into my third year at GCU, where I am continuing to pursue new personal and professional opportunities.
Uncommon Giving is an online giving platform connecting people and non-profits to do good, differently. Uncommon Giving makes it easy to fund, organize, and track all of your charitable giving in one streamlined account (Donor Advised Fund) for a minimum of $10. With over 1 million non-profits on our giving platform, it’s easy to find a cause that you care about and want to help. We are passionate about serving those in need and want to help people discover ways to give their time, talent, treasure, testimony, and thanks.
