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
Recap: Capitol Pathways 4th Annual Celebration
On June 6, 2019, Capitol Pathways students, hosts, and supporters gathered for an evening recognizing the achievements and bright futures of our cohort as the 4th year of the program came to a close.
Capitol Pathways Mentor Q&A: Jordana Palmer
As this year’s Capitol Pathways program nears its completion, we asked Capitol Pathways mentor Jordana Palmer a few questions about her experience thus far.
Join us for Policy On Tap
The Citizens League is launching a new event series that will feature robust policy conversations around one central theme. For our first season, we’re Talking Trash.
Capitol Pathways Mentor Q&A: Sean Mock
As this year’s Capitol Pathways program nears its completion, we asked Sean Mock a few questions about his experience providing mentorship to this year’s cohort.
Capitol Pathways Mentor Q&A: Robert Harper
As this year’s Capitol Pathways program nears its completion, we asked our mentors a few questions about their mentorship experiences so far.
Announcement: Citizens League Policy Director Update
It is with deep gratitude, great appreciation, and a little sadness that I write to tell you that Angelica Klebsch, who has been our Policy Director since March 2018, has accepted a position with an exceptional community partner of ours, CLUES, or Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio.
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.