News

Dear Friend, Who are we beyond our current conditions? What does it look like to live in a world that truly values the brilliance, heart, and expertise of young people who are Black, brown, disabled, trans and queer, low income, immigrant and refugee?  This is what we do, what we believe in, and what we… Read More

Black, Indigenous and youth of color deserve to be paid fairly, equitably and with abundance and thriving in mind. As an organization where many leaders get their start, we aim to set an example for what it means to equitably compensate and value young people. Over the last few years, we’ve evolved a new compensation… Read More

🗣URGENT CALL TO ACTION! Help us lower the voting age in Oregon to 16 by submitting supportive testimony. Find a testimony template and instructions at our link in bio. ✨There are two proposals being heard by the Oregon Legislature on February 21st. HJR 20 will lower the voting age to 16 fully. HB 3206 will… Read More

We’re so excited to announce that Special Lovincey and Jasia Mosley are joining team Next Up. Special is joining as the Communications Manager and will be leading on creating an intentional communications strategy to connect with young people across Oregon. Jasia has joined as the Civic Action Organizer and will be leading on voter registration… Read More

One of the best parts of running a Give!Guide campaign at Next Up is getting to work with amazing youth organizers and leaders who join us for an end-of-year internship to support our fundraising and communications. This year, the internship was focused on the power of narrative and storytelling. Thank you so much to Zave… Read More

Our board and youth leaders are the core of Next Up. At the end of 2022, several board members, past interns, and program participants generously shared their stories with our Storytelling Interns, Zave Payne and Carolina Ruiz. Meet Josh, Sophia, Jazzy, Fabiana, Anjali, Dalia, and Nathaniel! We’re so glad you’re part of our work and… Read More

The Bus Project taught us that young people can be trusted with power – not as “future leaders,” but as leaders of today. Today, as Next Up, we continue that work, investing in youth leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy that shifts power and strengthens our democracy.

Over the years, we’ve help make Oregon the #1 easiest state to vote in, brought our state’s voter registration rate to over 93%, and expanded who is eligible to register.  We’re seeing this payoff in a big way – nationally, eligible voters ages 18 – 29 cast their ballot at the second-highest rate in nearly… Read More