Friends of Noise
Mission
Friends of Noise is an organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. We seek to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry. We foster a healthy ecosystem for all ages to thrive by meeting young people where they are and by facilitating opportunities for immersion into a safer arts community while uplifting youth voices.
Bottom Line
We empower youth to contribute to our creative ecosystem long before they are 21, centering underserved youth.
Through our free workshops, all-ages concerts, a jobs program, and creative incubation, youth are building skills and community. In 2025 alone, we worked directly with 224 youth, 175 adult artists, and welcomed over 2,000 audience members.
This year is huge: it's our 10th anniversary, and we just opened The Off Beat, our new all-ages venue! It's already buzzing with concerts, open mics, town halls, markets, and more! This summer, we paid 40 youth to help run it.
Your support keeps The Off Beat's doors open and gives Portland youth a lasting place to grow creatively and professionally.
Quote
I heard about Friends of Noise through my high school's audio program. I've played a few shows now at The Off Beat this summer and had a blast! Thank you Friends of Noise for giving opportunities to young people like me to thrive and grow in the music industry!
-Coco
Incentives
Nov 11- Everyone who gives $50 or more to Friends of Noise on this date will receive 2 free tickets to The Off Beat!
Dec 1- Support our partnership with Girl Scouts and make a gift on GivingTuesday, December 1, to BOTH Friends of Noise and Girl Scouts to be entered into a drawing for a CASE of Girl Scout cookies and three tickets to The Off Beat. Donors 35 and under have TWO opportunities to access these Dec 1 prizes!
(Fine print: prizes distributed in January. Tickets must be used before June 30, 2027. Excludes fundraisers and private events not listed on our website. Cookies must be picked up at the Girl Scouts service center on Barbur Blvd. )
Partner(s)
Friends of Noise is proud to be in community with the following partner orgs. Some have partnered with us on workshops or hired our team of young people for their event production needs!
Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington
Friends of Noise is also thankful for our business partner, Garnish, which features limited-edition clothing made right here in Portland!
Friends of Noise is in the Creative Expression category which is sponsored by The Oregon Cultural Trust.
They're a medium-sized organization with activities in Multnomah Co.