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
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.
EDTalks: Addressing Race and Culture in the Classroom
February 8, 2021: Join us for two timely EDTalks addressing the importance of conversation around race and culture with our students.
Saint Paul Community-First Public Safety Commission Update
January 15 Update: The Commission will help shape Saint Paul’s continued work to take a holistic and sustainable approach to building safer outcomes in its neighborhoods.
EDTalks: Modeling Equity in Education and Mental Health
January 14, 2021: Join us for two inspiring EDTalks on the importance of incorporating an equity lens in education and mental health work.
Announcing the Saint Paul Community-First Public Safety Commission
The Citizens League has been selected by the City of Saint Paul to lead a Community-First Public Safety Commission. The Commission will help shape Saint Paul’s continued work to take a holistic and sustainable approach to building safer outcomes in its neighborhoods.
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.