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
Thanks for celebrating with us!
We were overjoyed to come together with over 200 people from all over Minnesota to celebrate the outstanding civic leadership of Phyllis Rawls Goff and Charles R. Vig.
Watch Now: Rural-Urban Conversations — Child Care: A Complex Crisis
Monday, March 29: Join the Center for Rural Policy & Development (CRPD) and the Citizens League for candid conversations where we will start to bridge the divide between urban & rural Minnesota
Strengthening the Policy Ecosystem: An Interview with Executive Director Kate Cimino
The Citizens League’s values have remained consistent for decades. Belief in the importance of civic leadership and active citizenship, in democracy and good governance continues to guide the League’s approach to influencing public policy.
Mind Opener: Evictions Policy in a Post-COVID World
Join us Monday, March 1 to discuss what policies should be considered now to prepare for how evictions should be exercised in a post-COVID world.
Announcing the 2021 Civic Celebration
We are excited to honor community volunteer Phyllis Rawls Goff, and former Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Charles R. Vig for our upcoming Civic Celebration!
Video: Why Treaties Matter, and How They Shape our Communities Today
Watch now for a primer and a conversation about policies that could be considered to address treaties in Minnesota and create greater opportunities for Indigenous Minnesotans today.
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.
MinnPost Festival
MinnPost Festival is a full day of in-person programming featuring national and local voices you already know, along with new ones that you’ll want to know. Experience insightful conversations and community that brings together the people and ideas shaping the future of Minnesota and beyond. Past guests include Laura Coates, Gov. Tim Walz, Keith Ellison, Samantha Bee, Sen. Tina Smith, David Rohde and more.