The Laurel Leaf Foundation
The Laurel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that provides cost-free resident camps, year-round mental health support, and youth leadership programs for at-promise youth ages 6-17, including transgender/gender-diverse youth and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Laurel Leaf Foundation does
The Laurel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, that provides cost-free resident camps, day events, and year-round educational, mental health, and leadership development programs for at-promise youth ages 6-17. Its core programs are Camp Mulberry (launched 2017 as the nation's first free resident camp for transgender and gender-diverse youth) and Camp Laurel (programs for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS, now evolving toward HIV prevention and youth leadership). Supporting offerings include the Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) program, monthly parent/caregiver educational webinars, day events (Halloween Jamboree, Holiday Party, Spring Into Camp), and the DREAM IT. DO IT. Career and Leadership Conference. Programs are delivered at no cost to families at two camp locations in the San Bernardino National Forest and through community partnerships, with a 1:3 counselor-to-camper ratio and on-site licensed mental health staff.
The organization operates a heavily volunteer-driven model, with 200+ volunteers contributing approximately 13,500 hours annually support a 1-10 employee staff. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations (individual, corporate, and in-kind), foundation grants, and annual fundraising events including the Art Of_ auction, Toy Drive, and Holiday Party. Named corporate and institutional supporters include Gilead Sciences, Boeing, Albertsons Foundation, California Community Foundation, Born This Way Foundation/Cotton On Foundation, and City National Bank. The organization holds ACA accreditation, a Charity Navigator 4-Star rating, and a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Best Summer Camps (2023). Programmatic reach is national (youth served from across the U.S.) but operational footprint is concentrated in Southern California, with no public revenue disclosure.
The Laurel Leaf Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Laurel Leaf Foundation
- Legal name
- The Laurel Foundation
- Website
- https://laurel-foundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Laurel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that provides cost-free resident camps, year-round mental health support, and youth leadership programs for at-promise youth ages 6-17, including transgender/gender-diverse youth and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Laurel Leaf Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development and Nonprofit Camp Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)
Keywords
Where The Laurel Leaf Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Laurel Leaf Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting youth programs
- Corporate Donations: Contributions from corporate partners including Gilead, Boeing, Albertsons Foundation, California Community Foundation, and others
- Fundraising Events: Annual events including silent and live auctions, toy drives, and art auctions generate revenue for programs
- In-Kind Donations: Various goods and services donated by corporate partners and individuals
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Others | Cost-free camp programs for youth ages 6-17 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Laurel Leaf Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Laurel Foundation provides cost-free, year-round residential summer camp programs and youth development services for at-promise youth ages 6-17, specifically transgender/gender-diverse youth (via Camp Mulberry) and youth impacted by HIV/AIDS (via Camp Laurel). Programming emphasizes mental health support, education, leadership development, self-advocacy, and community building, delivered by staff mental health professionals and a 1:3 counselor-to-camper ratio with the support of 200+ volunteers contributing approximately 13,500 hours annually. Supporting offerings include parent/caregiver educational webinars, Counselor-in-Training leadership programs, day events such as DREAM IT. DO IT. conferences, and mentorship partnerships with UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition.
Product overview
The Laurel Foundation operates a portfolio of cost-free camp and youth development programs for at-promise populations. The core offerings consist of Camp Mulberry (the nation's first free resident camp for transgender/gender-diverse youth ages 6-17) and Camp Laurel (programs for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS, transitioning to HIV prevention education and youth leadership). Supporting programs include the Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) Program for teen leadership development, monthly Parent/Caregiver Educational Webinars on Zoom, and day events including DREAM IT. DO IT. Career and Leadership Conference, Spring Into Camp, Halloween Jamboree, and Holiday Party. The foundation also partners with PAC UCLA for mentorship programs including day camps, beach days, tutoring, and life skills retreats. Year-round mental health support, education, and youth leadership development form the foundation of all programming.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Camp Laurel: Cost-free residential camp program for at-promise youth, youth impacted by HIV/AIDS, and young key populations at risk of HIV.
- Camp Mulberry
Products and services
- Camp Mulberry The nation's first free resident camp program specifically for transgender and gender-diverse youth ages 6-17, providing a safe, affirming environment in the San Bernardino National Forest where campers can be their authentic selves through residential summer programming.
- Camp Laurel Cost-free educational and support camp program for children and youth impacted by HIV/AIDS, originally founded in 1993 and transitioning to focus on youth at risk of HIV through prevention education and youth leadership programs.
- DREAM IT. DO IT. Career and Leadership Conference Annual career-readiness and leadership workshop for youth ages 13-17, featuring financial literacy workshops (with City National Bank), career pathway mapping, and mentorship from community professionals.
- Parent/Caregiver Educational Webinars Monthly Zoom webinars led by professional experts covering topics including legal documentation, gender-affirming care, and the impact of current social climate on the transgender/gender-diverse community, for parents and caregivers of participating youth.
- Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) Program Leadership development program for campers ages 15-17 focusing on life skills, advocacy, self-discovery, and preparation for adulthood through mentorship and specialized cabin roles at camp.
- PAC UCLA Mentorship Programs Partnership with the Pediatric AIDS Coalition of UCLA providing mentorship programs including day camps, beach days, tutoring sessions, and life skills retreats for youth ages 8-17 affected by HIV/AIDS; PAC hosts 4 mentorship day camps and one weekend retreat annually.
- Spring Into Camp Spring day event bringing new and returning campers together for team-building activities and interactive games while parents connect and build supportive networks.
- Halloween Jamboree Annual Halloween celebration event held in Pasadena, CA featuring games, candy, and activities for campers and their families.
- Holiday Party Annual holiday celebration with crafts, activities, games, prizes, and gifts for children and families in the served community.
- Camp Mulberry Family Camp First family camp specifically for families of transgender/gender-diverse campers launched in 2024, where parents connect at exclusive hangouts while children participate in camp activities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 503+ youth served annually at no cost
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Laurel Leaf Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Laurel Leaf Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Laurel Leaf Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- City National BankminorDelivered Financial Literacy for Life workshop at DREAM IT. DO IT. Summit career and leadership conference, teaching budgeting, savings, credit, and real-world money decisions.
- Born This Way FoundationcorePartnership to provide youth and adults with tools to support mental health challenges. Collaboration on Be There Certificate program for mental health awareness.
- Pediatric AIDS Coalition (PAC) UCLAcoreStudent-run UCLA organization providing mentorship programs including day camps, beach days, tutoring sessions, life skills retreats, and other activities for youth affected by HIV/AIDS. PAC hosts 4 mentorship day camps and one weekend retreat annually.
- Cal State Los AngelesminorUniversity partners led sessions at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure helping campers envision college as an achievable goal. Admissions counselor shared personal journey.
- Would WorksminorHands-on woodworking and craftsmanship sessions at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure introducing campers to trade skills and sustainable design.
- ReDiscover CenterminorProvided hands-on design and making workshops at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure for creative craftsmanship education.
- LA CompostminorEnvironmental stewardship workshops at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure teaching composting and sustainability.
- LA Culinary SchoolminorCulinary education and food skills workshops at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure.
- Street PoetsminorCreative writing and poetry workshops at Camp Laurel Teen Adventure for self-expression.
- Hollywood HeartminorActivity facilitators for camp programs including mindfulness and puppet making workshops.
- It's Bigger Than UsminorService learning partnership where campers assembled 250+ care packages for families displaced by Eaton and Palisades fires.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Laurel Leaf Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Point Foundation: Point Foundation is the nation's largest LGBTQ+ scholarship-granting nonprofit, providing financial support, mentorship, and leadership development to LGBTQ+ students. It serves a similar demographic through a different delivery model (scholarships vs. camp).
- It Gets Better Project: It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit media and storytelling initiative connecting LGBTQ+ youth worldwide to affirming messages and resources. It serves an overlapping population through digital/educational content rather than residential programs.
- Family Acceptance Project: Family Acceptance Project is a research and intervention initiative at SF State University that helps families support LGBTQ+ youth. It addresses overlapping pain points (family stress, lack of affirming environments) through a complementary caregiver-focused approach.
- AIDS United: AIDS United is a national nonprofit that advocates for and funds HIV/AIDS-related service organizations across the U.S. It is a peer in HIV/AIDS-focused youth services and a potential intermediary funding source for community-based programs.
- Magic Acceptance Camp: Magic Acceptance Camp is a cost-free camp in California serving children affected by HIV/AIDS — historically an almost identical operating model to Camp Laurel before its evolution. It is a direct peer in the at-promise youth camp space.
- Born This Way Foundation: Founded by Lady Gaga, Born This Way Foundation supports youth mental health and kindness through grants and the Be There Certificate program. It is both a partner and a peer — operating in the same LGBTQ+/at-promise youth mental health space with national reach.
- Camp Aranu'tiq: Camp Aranu'tiq is a New England-based nonprofit that operates summer camps specifically for transgender and gender-variant youth. It is the closest direct peer to Camp Mulberry, serving the same core population with a similar residential camp model, though it is not cost-free.
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: EGPAF is a leading nonprofit dedicated to ending pediatric HIV/AIDS globally through research, advocacy, and direct service programs. It serves a closely overlapping population (children/youth affected by HIV) at significantly larger scale and global footprint.
Broad incumbents
- HRC Foundation: HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S. LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. It operates broadly in LGBTQ+ advocacy, youth programming, and public education rather than residential camp services.
- The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a large, established LGBTQ+ youth organization focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention via phone/text/chat services. It serves a related population (LGBTQ+ youth in crisis) at much greater scale through digital channels rather than residential camp.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Laurel Leaf Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Laurel Leaf Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Laurel Leaf Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Laurel Leaf Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The Laurel Leaf Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Laurel Leaf Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Laurel Leaf Foundation
What does The Laurel Leaf Foundation do?
The Laurel Foundation provides cost-free, year-round residential summer camp programs and youth development services for at-promise youth ages 6-17, specifically transgender/gender-diverse youth (via Camp Mulberry) and youth impacted by HIV/AIDS (via Camp Laurel). Programming emphasizes mental health support, education, leadership development, self-advocacy, and community building, delivered by staff mental health professionals and a 1:3 counselor-to-camper ratio with the support of 200+ volunteers contributing approximately 13,500 hours annually. Supporting offerings include parent/caregiver educational webinars, Counselor-in-Training leadership programs, day events such as DREAM IT. DO IT. conferences, and mentorship partnerships with UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition.
Is The Laurel Leaf Foundation a public or private company?
The Laurel Leaf Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Laurel Leaf Foundation founded?
The Laurel Leaf Foundation was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Laurel Leaf Foundation based?
The Laurel Leaf Foundation is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Laurel Leaf Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Donations, fundraising Events and in-Kind Donations.
Who are The Laurel Leaf Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Point Foundation, It Gets Better Project, Family Acceptance Project, AIDS United, Magic Acceptance Camp, Born This Way Foundation, Camp Aranu'tiq and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Broad incumbents are HRC Foundation and The Trevor Project.
Does The Laurel Leaf Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Laurel Leaf Foundation.
What industry is The Laurel Leaf Foundation in?
The Laurel Leaf Foundation's product category is Youth Development and Nonprofit Camp Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDALAFAO, Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.