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
Announcing our 2019 Board Nomination Slate
With great enthusiasm, Citizens League Board of Directors has unanimously approved the following slate of board candidates, below, as proposed by our Nominations Committee, and voted on by our members on the evening of Thursday, October 11 at the Civic...
Video: Citizens League presents Minimum Wage Study recommendations to Saint Paul City Council
Video: On September 12, the Citizens League provided details on the recommendations and the process that led to the Saint Paul Minimum Wage Study Committee report.
Citizens League submits final recommendations of Saint Paul Minimum Wage Study Committee
Recommendations are based on hours of deliberations and study from the 21 members of the committee, which represented a wide range of the Saint Paul community.
Be a Capitol Pathways Host for the 2019 Legislative Session!
Do you work in or around the MN legislature? Lobby at the Capitol, do advocacy work or community organizing? Then support students of color and their path to becoming civic leaders in Minnesota by hosting a Capitol Pathways intern for the 2019 legislative session!...
Citizens League Voice: Our Patchwork Nation
From the Citizens League Voice magazine: Journalist Dante Chinni on the nation’s political differences, the divisive nature of easy ideological labels, and the need for nuanced data
Citizens League Update: August 16, 2018
News on our upcoming Mind Opener, Civic Celebration in October, and Capitol Pathways 2019!
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.