Brokering Trust
Bridging Divides
The Citizens League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for Minnesotans to engage in building a strong civic life and effective public policies.
Recent News
Celebrating Jacob’s 10 Years at Citizens League!
Ten years at an organization is an impressive feat and something to celebrate. We are excited to share that Jacob Taintor, Citizens League’s Communications and Marketing Specialist, has reached this ten-year anniversary milestone!
Now Hiring: Office Operations and Donor Database Coordinator
We are currently searching for our next Office Operations and Donor Database Coordinator, who will be an integral part of our collaborative and supportive six-member team.
Citizens League staff member Laura Kisner is moving on!
Laura Kisner, who served as our Operations and Database Administrator since March 2022, is moving on! While we are sad to see her go, we are excited for her new adventure as she moves to New York City.
June 8: Join our Capitol Pathways Celebration
In recognition of our fantastic student interns and in celebration of the only paid internship program in Minnesota that creates a policy career pathway for BIPOC college students, we gather to mark another successful program year.
The Latest from the League: Spring Newsletter 2023
Sent to the mailboxes of our individual and organizational supporters, our newsletter offers deeper insights into the ways Citizens League is creating unique spaces to bring different perspectives together and find great solutions.
Capitol Pathways Cohort Meeting Recap: Learning About What’s Next
To prepare our students for their journey forward, we welcomed a “What’s Next” session of professionals to share upcoming opportunities for students to explore.
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 – Past, Present and Future: The Case for Liberal Arts Education
Join us for a special Citizens League Mind Opener, hosted and sponsored by Macalester College, as we delve into an insightful conversation about the future of liberal arts and higher education, and the role it can play in building a resilient, strong civic life for Minnesota and beyond.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Civic Celebration 2026
The annual Civic Celebration, Citizens League’s premier fundraiser and networking event, will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026! Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, political parties, and ideologies will gather for an evening to recognize Minnesota’s civic culture, innovative leadership, and a commitment working together across our differences to build trust and improve lives.