Next Up

Mission

Every major social movement in history has been driven by young people boldly leading the way. 

Young people have the right to make our voices heard on critical issues, including climate justice, bodily autonomy, and democratic rights. That's why Next Up dismantles systemic barriers to civic engagement, and gives young people the tools to grow their leadership and build power through youth organizing.  

Through organizing with Next Up, youth develop critical thinking skills, build relationships, and learn how to effectively advocate for themselves and their peers – powering up transformative movements for social change.

Bottom Line for Portland

Our programs are a catalyst for young people as leaders: we offer numerous paid internships and cohort programs for youth to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of civic engagement and grassroots organizing, including youth voter registration, hosting events, and getting out the vote (contributing to Oregon's place in the top 5 states for youth voter turnout).
 

More than 1,000 young people in the Portland Metro area have graduated from our youth leadership cohorts. 

Alumni have gone on to:
• provide testimony to Portland City Council and the Oregon Legislature on issues ranging from ranked choice voting to redistricting
• join government commissions and nonprofit boards (including our own)
• organize and win Portland Charter Change in 2022
• lead the state as values-aligned advocates, leaders, and elected officials

and so much more.

Quote

 “Not only did I learn about the basics as a community organizer [with Next Up], but I also was exposed to so many great opportunities! This basic understanding led me to join other grassroots organizations around my area advocating for different policies such as climate resilience and immigration rights." 

— Aishiki Nag, youth advocate and member of Next Up’s Youth Action Team

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our work centers and prioritizes the needs and leadership of Black, Indigenous, youth of color, disabled youth, low-income youth, immigrant youth, queer and trans youth, youth survivors, and youth at the intersections. Our approach includes developing our curricula with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens, and partnering with values-aligned organizations working towards social, racial, gender, and economic justice.

Incentives

• Your support is an investment in youth leadership and organizing, centering the most impacted young people, to build a more equitable and just Oregon. In 2024, we're scaling up our internship programs and creating even more opportunities for young people to get involved, grow their leadership, and mobilize youth voters with nonpartisan voting information.
•  
• ALSO:
• 🍕The first 250 donors get a gift card for a Sizzle Pie pizza slice
• 🎁 Donate $50+ and get a gorgeous sticker pack with artwork by Stacie Balkaran

Plus:

✅ The 5th donor giving $100+ gets a gift card for 4 tickets to a ComedySportz Portland show

✅ The 5th donor giving $150+ gets a certificate for 1 month of free yoga at The People's Yoga

✅ The 5th donor giving $250+ gets a $100 gift certificate for a class at WildCraft Studio School

AND: 

😍 On December 27th, all donations up to $1,500 will be matched by ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria.

Partner(s)

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria- a taqueria with two locations in Portland, voted Best Taco and Best Mexican food in the 2023 Best of Portland Reader's Poll.

Sizzle Pie - delicious pizzas, slices, salads and desserts for takeout or delivery.

ComedySportz Portland - since 1993, CSz Portland has been changing the world through collaboration, inspiration, gratitude and fun.

The People's Yoga- The People's Yoga is a community that works together to ensure that the benefits of the yoga practice are accessible to every person regardless of financial means.

WildCraft Studio School- since 2013, WildCraft’s mission has been to offer exceptional creative programming to diverse, adult learners (18 yrs & up), with a special focus on Craft, Textiles, Studio Art, Native Art and Nature-based workshops.

Westward Whiskey - bold, robust, award-winning whiskeys, including Westward American Single Malt, Westward Oregon Stout Cask, and Westward Pinot Noir Cask. ~This prize was taken home by a lucky winner at our Winter Ball.~