Paul Quinn Launches Groundbreaking Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy

Last Updated on May 31, 2023

President Michael Sorrell launches The Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy at Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn's President Michael Sorrell speaks at The Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy launch.

Located in Dallas, Texas, Paul Quinn College recently unveiled a new link in the powerful chain of HBCUs. The Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy has been designed to support, encourage and forge new ground in its' namesake subjects.

About the Fundraising and Philanthropy Center

At Paul Quinn College, you can find the Center in the Student Union Building, #202. Inside, students and leaders work together to tackle some of the most encouraging and important issues facing HBCUs…new and innovative fundraising techniques and the community impact of philanthropy.

The Center is the brainchild of Dr. Marybeth Gasman and Nelson Bowman III. Both educators are highly respected in the fields of fundraising and philanthropy and co-authored two books, A Guide to Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: An All-Campus Approach and Engaging Diverse College Alumni: The Essential Guide to Fundraising.

Halima N. Leak, Executive Director for the Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy at Paul Quinn College
Executive Director Halima N. Leak

The Center is lead by the Inaugural Executive Director Halima N. Leak. Leak comes to Paul Quinn from City University of New York, where she served as Director of Alumni Relations and Development for the School of Professional Studies. She has also worked as a fundraising practitioner at New York University, Barnard College of Columbia University, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina).

Leak earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hampton University and Master of Arts in Educational Sociology from the New York University Steinhardt School of Education where her master thesis was on “Alumni Giving and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” Leak is also a Ph.D. candidate at the New York University Steinhardt School of Education.

Interview with Halima N. Leak

In our podcast interview, Leak shared several insights from her personal journey, her most memorable HBCU experience, sorority life, and balancing social and academic aspects of college. She goes on to layout some of her initial goals in her new role as executive director at the Center.

What the Center Does

Boasting the only undergraduate program in fundraising and philanthropy in the HBCU network, the Center strives to attain several broad goals through a combination of expert leadership and enthusiastic young students.

Training and education are among these goals; the Center aims to create a new kind of fundraising and philanthropy professional, one which is aware of today's changing philanthropic climate and which has the skills to create real and lasting change.

The Center also strives to support this new crop of fundraisers in their academic and personal growth, learning and development potential.

As the philanthropic field grows and diversifies, the Center will place a high priority on identifying,  utilizing and understanding these rapid changes.

Open communication and awareness are also high priorities. These elements are essential to keeping on top of our diversifying philanthropic climate. The Center encourages open discussions and idea-sharing in order to give every student a voice and find the freshest, most groundbreaking ideas possible.

Ultimately, the Center hopes to create an entire culture of fundraising and philanthropy, built on simple yet profound guiding principles of accepting change, thriving on that change and realizing the potential for increased success through an open exchange of ideas.

Fundraising and Philanthropy for the Future

The Center is truly one of a kind at the moment. It is the hope of those involved that it will not stay that way for long, and that this Center's existence and results will spark similar programs across the HBCU network. Presently, being the only program of its kind, the Center presents a unique and invaluable opportunity for students interested in a fundraising or philanthropic career choice.

Photos courtesy of The Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy

3 thoughts on “Paul Quinn Launches Groundbreaking Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy”

  1. Great interview with ‘ Halima N. Leak, Inaugural Executive Director of the newly launched and first of it’s kind, The Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy at Paul Quinn College ! Shout out to The Prez Michael Sorrells – Transformational Leadership – “Pay Attention HBCU Nation…”

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