Trans Youth Equality Foundation

The Trans Youth Equality Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Orono, ME, providing comprehensive education, advocacy, and support services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex youth ages 2-18 and their families. Since 2007, TYEF has delivered a robust array of programs designed to meet the unique needs of this community while fostering healthy, caring, and safe environments for all young people served.

The organization operates multiple evidence-based programs including a 20-year-running summer camp and fall retreat specifically designed for transgender and gender non-conforming youth, offering peer connection and community building. TYEF's TransWaves podcast program features interviews with trans youth, allies, providers, activists, and families, bringing diverse perspectives on what it means to be a young transgender person today. The foundation also provides specialized trainings for educational and medical professionals on trans inclusivity and advocacy, equipping service providers with knowledge to better support this population.

Beyond direct programming, the Trans Youth Equality Foundation maintains an active social media presence and releases daily resources through their website to inform and educate families, educators, organizations, and healthcare providers. The organization was founded by the mother of a transgender child who recognized the critical gap in high-quality resources between 2002 and 2007. Today, serving communities across the nation from their Orono base, TYEF continues advancing its mission that no family and no child has to navigate this journey alone, providing essential support services and advocacy for vulnerable youth and their families.