The purpose of the Maitreya Educational Foundation is to provide education to individuals on how to take charge of their lives and become their own masters. The Foundation has applied as a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization dedicated to making available to the world the teachings of the Ascended Masters as communicated by the Master Maitreya through his channel Margaret McElroy. The Foundation offers educational materials through its website, supports outreach programs around the world, and offers links to additional educational programs, materials, and services through the MargaretMcElroy.com and Maitreya Seattle Leaning and Healing Center websites.

Maitreya has said he is a teacher from the world beyond ours which many know as “spirit.” He has been known in many cultures as "Lord Maitreya” but as he himself has said, "I am no Lord, just an ascended energy, who has come to the Earth plane to teach through a channel". Being ascended means he has risen to a high level in the spiritual hierarchy, and is qualified to speak on high consciousness subjects. He joined with Margaret McElroy in 1992. "It does not matter who I am, what matters is the message, it is not about personalities, but the message", Maitreya has said. He created this web site in 1996 for his teaching around the world.