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
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.
Thanks for an amazing Civic Celebration!
Thanks to all who could join us for the annual Civic Celebration! View event photos and videos now.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Melody Her
Highlighting Capitol Pathways student Melody Her, a 3rd year St. Catherine University student interning at St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce this Spring 2023.
Capitol Pathways Students Gather for First Meeting and Social
Our Capitol Pathways program continues as the students finally meet each other in person, and others, during the recent cohort meeting and social. Thanks to all students, alumni, supporters, and others who could make it to our first social of this program year.
Current Work
Interconnected: Rural-Urban Conversations
This conversation series – hosted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Citizens League – bridges the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities. All discussions are recorded and can be listened to and viewed online.
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.
Serving in Local Elected Office
Throughout the summer and fall of 2022, we sought out perspectives of those who have been asked to serve, those currently serving, and those running for local office in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Learn about what we heard.
Events
The Citizens League hosts forums for civil discussion across Minnesota. Our event series includes events that are open to the public, member-only and workplace events to help inform and engage Minnesotans on important policy and civic leadership discussions.
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.