Giving Back to the City We Call Home

Supporting Charlotte families through early childhood education, housing stability, and career readiness — one family at a time.

Strong Foundations. Strong Futures. Strong Communities.

ABOUT HJF FOUNDATION

Building a Better Charlotte Through Giving.

HJF Foundation seeks to support initiatives and nonprofit organizations focused on fostering self-sufficiency through Early Childhood Education, Housing Stability, and Career Readiness/Workforce Development.

We value hard work, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. By partnering with nonprofits, we help ensure more people have the support they need to pursue their passions, reach their full potential, and become contributing citizens of our community. We focus on organizations promoting opportunities for economic mobility in the Charlotte region.

Strengthening Families. Empowering Futures.

HJF Foundation’s mission is to honor the legacy of Henry Faison by investing in organizations and transformative initiatives that provide strong educational beginnings for children, housing security for families, and career readiness programs for young adults, so they can lead fulfilling lives built on integrity and self-reliance.

Henry’s vision

Shaping Charlotte’s Future

HJF Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Faison Enterprises and named for the company’s founder, Henry Jay Faison. Henry was born and raised in Charlotte. He began his real estate career by developing shopping centers in the 1960s in North Carolina. A true Charlottean, he wanted to see his home grow into a first-class city. During his career, Henry was one of the most prolific developers in the Southeast. In 1988, he formed Faison Enterprises with a vision for the firm to focus on real estate investing while also being a good corporate citizen.

Today, the company thrives as a privately held firm focused on retail, residential and commercial holdings. The firm maintains a focus on philanthropic endeavors to perpetuate the legacy of its founder.

Henry deeply believed in the American dream and loved to help others succeed. His friends affectionately called him “The Hawk” as he was a passionate conservationist and outdoorsman. He was quietly generous, supporting employees, nonprofits, and community initiatives. Henry’s discreet generosity serves as the backbone of HJF Foundation. He consistently thought of others and never hesitated to ask, “Where can I help?” HJF Foundation seeks to personify Henry’s passion and conviction.

1960s

Henry Faison began his retail development career focusing on neighborhood shopping centers across North Carolina. Early projects included Hope Mills (Fayetteville), Pine Ridge Plaza (Winston-Salem), Allendale (Shelby), and Tri-City (Forest City).

1970s

Expanded into regional shopping malls, including Charlotte’s Eastland Mall. Additional developments included Cross Creek Mall (Fayetteville, NC) and River Ridge Mall (Lynchburg, VA), establishing Henry as one of Charlotte’s most recognized developers.

1980s

Diversified into office and mixed-use developments, transforming Charlotte’s skyline with projects such as 121 West Trade Street and One Independence Center. Other developments included the James Center (VA), SouthPark Mall (VA), Tampa Tower (FL), and Arrowood and Arrowpoint office parks in Charlotte.

1988

Founded Faison Enterprises.

1990s

Faison expanded throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Texas while growing property management and capital advisory services. The 1998 sale of several business divisions to Trammell Crow Commercial marked a major turning point and elevated Faison’s national reputation.

2000s

The firm diversified into residential, office, and industrial development while continuing retail expansion, including growth in Washington, DC. Strategic portfolio sales in 2003 repositioned the company ahead of major market shifts.

2010s

Following the Global Financial Crisis, Faison expanded into multifamily development and mixed-use projects, including Ashley Landing and a Daniel Island development in Charleston. After Henry Faison’s passing in 2012, the firm transitioned into a real estate investment company by 2018.

2020s

Faison operates as a privately held investment firm with a diversified portfolio across retail, commercial, and residential sectors. Over its history, the company has developed and invested in more than $3 billion in real estate while continuing its founder’s legacy through philanthropy.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

How We Make a Difference

Our commitment focuses on three pillars: housing stability, early childhood education and career readiness. Each is designed to support growth, opportunity and self-reliance.

Early Childhood Education

HJF Foundation strives to ensure children are prepared when they enter kindergarten and achieve grade-level success in elementary school. We support improving learning outcomes and enhancing opportunities for academic and professional success by investing in organizations that offer school-based academic support, after-school academic enrichment programming and summer learning initiatives.

Housing Stability

HJF Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals and families find or stay in stable housing with close proximity to quality schools and resources. We support emergency shelters, transitional housing, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) properties, as well as completing critical home repairs and offering access to other supportive services to help families move toward self-sufficiency.

Career Readiness

HJF Foundation is passionate about supporting students as they explore and prepare for careers in growing fields. This includes contributing to organizations that teach young students about high-demand careers, trade and apprenticeship programs for high school students, associate degree programs, university Real Estate Development programs and entrepreneurship training programs.