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
Listening to you during this pandemic — A message from Executive Director Pahoua Yang Hoffman
Our approach to policy starts with listening. So please tell us: How is Covid-19 affecting you? Your input will guide our work in the coming days, weeks, and months as we face this pandemic together.
How is COVID-19 affecting you? Take our survey.
We know that this pandemic is affecting everyone, but we want to hear how it is affecting you. Take our short survey.
Adapting to a new normal amidst COVID-19 challenges
Minnesotans, like the rest of the world, are working to adjust to a “new normal” amidst COVID-19. As we work to rise to this challenge together, the Citizens League is looking for ways to adapt to this new environment while continuing to serve the community. LISTENING...
Video: Get to know Executive Director Pahoua Yang Hoffman
We are so proud to call Pahoua Yang Hoffman our Executive Director. Her life experience, breadth of knowledge, and genuine interest in people from all backgrounds truly makes Minnesota a better place. Thanks to TPT Almanac at the Capitol and David Gillette for conveying her amazing story!
Census 2020
Engaging immigrant and ethnic communities to encourage participation and make sure all Minnesotans are counted.
Audio: Policy On Tap – Sparking Joy and the World of Secondhand
Policy On Tap host Tom Weber was joined by a panel to talk the complex world of secondhand goods. Listen here!
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.