Photo by Forbes
By Vivian DiSalvo (Class of 2026)
Forbes has named the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumnus Owen Tanner-Flomberg (’20) to its 30 Under 30 Social Impact list, which honors those who leverage their business knowledge to solve social issues.
Tanner-Flomberg cofounded the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC), a nonprofit focused on helping students with financial insecurity. The coalition got its start in 2019 as a UT student organization with a goal to advocate for solutions for students facing food insecurity. The organization grew to advocate for other basic needs as well, and in 2020, the SBNC at UT partnered with a similar group at North Carolina State University.
Together, Tanner-Flomberg and NC State’s Paige Swainstein launched the organization as a national nonprofit. Today, their mission is “to eliminate food, housing, and healthcare insecurity as barriers to college success.” Swanstein was named to the list alongside Tanner-Flomberg.
With over $1 million raised for students in need, supported by sponsors like the Walmart Foundation and Ben & Jerry’s, Tanner-Flomberg’s organization is changing lives. By helping students meet the basic needs of food and housing, he gives students the chance to truly thrive throughout college without the worry of financial insecurity.
As of 2025, the Student Basic Needs Coalition has helped more than 10,000 students access $37 million in SNAP benefits, according to Forbes.
Cofounding the Student Basic Needs Coalition was just one of Tanner-Flomberg’s accomplishments on campus. He served on the Campus Events Board and Student Government Association, among other organizations on campus, while participating in the Chancellor’s Honors Program and studying political science with a minor in business administration as part the College Scholars program.
Tanner-Flomberg works to give students a full college experience, removing obstacles for those who face food insecurity, homelessness, and financial insecurity.
