Common Ground.
Common Good.
The Citizens League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers people to engage in civic life and public policy to make Minnesota a better place to live and work for everyone.
Recent News
Empathy and Collaboration Modeled on Inaugural Minnesota Legislative Exchange Trip
Rep. Mary Frances Clardy, a second-term Democratic State Representative (District 53A) recently visited six-term Republican Rep. Dave Baker in his district in the Willmar Lakes region (District 16B) for the first Minnesota Legislative Exchange (MLE) trip.
Farewell, Kalia!
With deep gratitude for her work and leadership, we announce that Kalia Xiong, our Capitol Pathways Program Director for the last nine years, is moving on from the Citizens League in August.
Now Hiring: Capitol Pathways Program Manager
Citizens League is seeking a Capitol Pathways Program manager! Learn more about this position and how to apply.
Spring Newsletter 2025
Minnesota Legislative Exchange, 10 years of Capitol Pathways, and more in our Spring 2025 newsletter!
Watch Now: Workforce Challenges and Opportunities for Local Government Entities in Minnesota
Watch our latest Interconnected webinar exploring the findings of “Strengthening Public Service in Minnesota,” a new report from the Citizens League that examines the challenges and opportunities facing our state’s public workforce.
Capitol Pathways 10 Year Summit
Join us to celebrate 10 years of Capitol Pathways and invest in building BIPOC leadership together.
Current Work
Minnesota Legislative Exchange
The Minnesota Legislative Exchange is a first-in-the-nation effort to build trust and bipartisan relationships in state legislatures. As Minnesota’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit focused on civic engagement and public policy solutions, Citizens League is proud to lead this important effort, intentionally forging new relationships to bridge divides and govern our state effectively.
Capitol Pathways
With the long-term goal of making our government truly representative of our communities, the program opens access to the Minnesota Capitol to the next generation of leaders of color. Through this program, interns build relationships with established Capitol leaders, gain exposure to various kinds of careers in policy, get real-world experience in career fields they would like to learn more about and build a strong professional resume in the process.
Strengthening Public Service
Citizens League is embarking on a new project to dig deeper and explore the unique challenges and barriers to public service, with a particular emphasis on non-elected roles and people who make our state’s local governments work.
Events
Through our engagement with communities in Minnesota, we strive to help people understand that public policy happens everywhere, and everyone has a role in decision-making.
Our events are organized around these goals, inviting a panel of different viewpoints to discuss policy issues that affect Minnesotans. We cover such topics as mental health, aging, disruptive protests, and water quality. Those in attendance can expect ample opportunity to voice their perspectives, questions, and ideas as well.
Mind Opener: The Future of Small, Local, and Cultural Media
July 30: Join us for this free online discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing small, local and cultural media outlets.