News

2022 End of Year Report

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

Our compensation philosophy: pay young people well

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

Help lower the voting age to 16!

🗣URGENT CALL TO ACTION! Help Next Up Action Fund lower the voting age in Oregon to 16 by submitting supportive testimony. ✨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 allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in school… Read More

Image reads: Welcome Special and Jasia. Features a Next Up Logo and photos of Special and Jasia.

Welcome: Special and Jasia

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

welcome zave and carolina. 2022 storytelling interns

Wrapping up the storytelling internship: thank you Zave and Carolina!

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

Image of 7 young people with in orange and yellow, surrounded by butterflies, with the words "we are the present and future"

Community stories from 2022

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

Closing out our 20th year of building youth power

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.

Young people won this election

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

welcome zave and carolina. 2022 storytelling interns

Welcome Zave and Carolina: 2022 Storytelling Interns

Intros We’re excited to welcome and introduce two Storytelling Interns who have joined team next up for the next couple of months: Zave and Carolina. They will support online content creation, storytelling and story collection from our base members, and donor appreciation during our end-of-year fundraising campaigns. Meet each of them below. Carolina Ruiz Carolina Ruíz… Read More

Next Up Launches First Participatory Budgeting Process

Next Up amplifies the voice and leadership of diverse young people to achieve a more just and equitable Oregon. Our interconnected strategies of youth leadership development and organizing, civic engagement, and issue advocacy are aimed at making Oregon a place where young people have decision-making power – and that also means within our own organization. … Read More