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
Announcement: Executive Director Transition
Bittersweet news: Citizens League Executive Director Kate Cimino is moving on. Read more from Citizens League Board Chair Breanna Schafer.
Watch now: Urban-Rural Conversations
This conversation series bridges the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities. Watch the recorded conversations on topics like healthcare, elected office, and more.
Photos: Capitol Pathways Social at the State Capitol
While many Capitol Pathways interns have been at the Capitol for their internships during the session, for the first time this year, our Capitol Pathways students gathered as a cohort together at the Capitol late last week.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Amanda de Souza
“It is essential and urgent that people of color have access to decision-making spaces to craft policies,” says Capitol Pathways student Amanda De Souza. Read our Capitol Pathways Spotlight.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Jesus Gonzalez Ruiz
Meet Jesus Gonzalez Ruiz, a 2nd year student at Concordia College studying finance and accounting. Through Capitol Pathways, he is interning with Center for Rural Policy and Development.
Friday, April 14: Last Capitol Pathways Social
Join us for our final Capitol Pathways social of the year! Friends, hosts, and Capitol Pathways students will gather in the L’Etoile du Nord Vault Room at the Minnesota State Capitol on Friday, April 14, from 1pm-2pm.
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.