Charlotte Nonprofit Announces 5K to Help Families Facing Homelessness

A $10,000 Goal to Support 10 Mecklenburg County Families

A Giving Heart Project says the proceeds from its Breaking Barriers 5K will support families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.

According to the organization's announcement, the money may be used for direct rental assistance, first and last month's rent, housing deposits, temporary hotel stays, and utility support.

These are expenses that can become immediate obstacles for households experiencing financial hardship. A family may have the income to afford an apartment but struggle with the deposits required to move in. Others may need temporary assistance to avoid losing housing after an unexpected expense or interruption in income.

The nonprofit is seeking community participation through race registrations, donations, and additional support. Registration costs $45 per person, and the organization has encouraged at least 100 residents to take part.

One hundred registrations at $45 would generate $4,500 before any processing fees or event expenses. Reaching the full $10,000 target would therefore require additional fundraising beyond those registrations, such as direct donations or sponsorships.

Davis said participation in the fundraiser is intended to raise awareness of the local housing crisis while contributing funding toward emergency needs and longer-term prevention programs.

A Giving Heart Project Has a History of Housing Assistance

The upcoming fundraiser is the organization's first Breaking Barriers 5K, but its housing assistance efforts began before this event.

A Giving Heart Project's publicly reported impact information on SHARE Charlotte says that 35 Mecklenburg County families received resources intended to help them overcome barriers to stable housing. The nonprofit also reports providing outreach assistance to 720 individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or other resource needs during its reporting period.

Those figures describe assistance and services provided by the organization. They do not establish that every household permanently avoided homelessness, but they demonstrate the scope of the nonprofit's existing community activities.

Another documented example came in April 2025, when the Canopy Housing Foundation awarded A Giving Heart Project a $3,000 community grant designated for emergency housing support.

The grant was intended to assist five families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, with a planned allocation of $600 per family. The foundation publicly documented the award and its intended purpose, although it did not publish individual family outcomes as part of that announcement.

These earlier initiatives provide context for the November fundraiser. The $10,000 campaign is an additional effort to help families facing immediate housing challenges, rather than the organization's first involvement in housing assistance.

Who Is A Giving Heart Project?

A Giving Heart Project is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Glennis Davis and Kevin Davis. Its mission focuses on helping individuals and families facing homelessness, financial hardship, and other barriers to essential resources.

In a 2023 interview published by United Way of Greater Charlotte, Glennis Davis described the nonprofit's origins as a response to the need for stronger community support and more intentional assistance for vulnerable residents.

The organization describes its approach as providing both immediate assistance and longer-term support. That can include helping families connect with housing resources, addressing basic needs, and providing guidance intended to improve their stability over time.

The nonprofit's activities are organized around three primary programs.

Heart for the Homeless

This program focuses on individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Services include resource navigation, case management, and assistance connecting with housing, healthcare, and basic-needs services.

Heart for the Community

Community outreach activities help residents access food, clothing, hygiene supplies, school materials, and other necessities.

The organization also hosts community events and distributes donated resources while connecting families with additional services in the Charlotte area.

Heart for the Youth

The nonprofit's youth programming focuses on prevention, education, emotional well-being, and resilience.

Its reported impact figures indicate that 727 young people participated in or received support through the organization's youth initiatives during its reporting period.

Programs include workshops and activities intended to help young people develop confidence, leadership skills, and strategies for dealing with difficult circumstances.

Why Housing Stability Is Central to the Fundraiser

Homelessness prevention is not limited to helping people who are already living without shelter. It also includes identifying households that may be approaching a housing crisis and addressing problems before they become more severe.

Housing insecurity can take different forms. Some families may be staying temporarily with relatives or friends. Others may be struggling to cover rent, utilities, or the upfront costs required to secure another place to live.

Direct financial assistance can sometimes address a specific obstacle, such as an overdue payment or a required housing deposit. Case management and resource referrals can provide additional support when a household is facing more complicated challenges.

A Giving Heart Project combines these approaches through its housing-stability services, community outreach, and youth prevention initiatives.

Its November 21 fundraiser is intended to provide additional resources for that mission while encouraging Charlotte residents to participate in a community event.

How Charlotte Residents Can Participate

The inaugural Breaking Barriers 5K is open to community members interested in running or walking in support of the nonprofit's housing assistance efforts.

The event begins at 8:00 AM on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at McAlpine Creek Park on Monroe Road in Charlotte.

Registration is $45 per participant. Individuals, local running clubs, neighborhood groups, and community supporters can register through the event's official RunSignup page.

People who aren't participating in the race can still support the nonprofit through donations or volunteer activities. A Giving Heart Project maintains opportunities for individuals interested in contributing time, resources, or organizational support.

Businesses and community organizations can also review the nonprofit's partnership information, while residents interested in other activities can visit its community events page.

Looking Beyond the November 5K

The Breaking Barriers fundraiser gives A Giving Heart Project an opportunity to raise money for immediate housing needs while introducing more Charlotte residents to its year-round activities.

Its ongoing programs address challenges that often overlap. A family struggling with housing expenses may also need assistance with food, transportation, clothing, or access to other community resources.

By combining direct assistance with case management, resource connections, and prevention programs, the nonprofit aims to respond to immediate needs while supporting longer-term stability.

The organization continues to invite residents to participate in its volunteer activities, community events, and outreach programs beyond the upcoming fundraiser.

More information about the organization's background and ongoing initiatives is available through the A Giving Heart Project About Us page.