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

Watch: Pahoua Hoffman on TPT Almanac

Watch: Pahoua Hoffman on TPT Almanac

On Friday, January 5th, Citizens League Executive Director Pahoua Hoffman sat down with Eric Eskola and Mary Lahammer on TPT Almanac to talk about her new role at the League, and some of the recent and upcoming things we're working on. Watch: On citizen-engagement:...

We need your year-end support!

We need your year-end support!

Donating to the Citizens League today is the best way to increase civil discussion in Minnesota and to develop creative solutions to complex policy problems. At the Citizens League, we consider multiple points of view without regard to partisanship and without a...

Citizens League Names Pahoua Yang Hoffman Executive Director

Citizens League Names Pahoua Yang Hoffman Executive Director

Hoffman’s promotion reflects growing impact of non-partisan Citizens League on Minnesota policy issues at state and local levels  The Citizens League, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that champions the role of all Minnesotans to govern for the common good and...

Recap: Policy and a Pint – “The Caregiving Sandwich”

Recap: Policy and a Pint – “The Caregiving Sandwich”

On Tuesday, December 5th, the Citizens League and Minnesota Public Radio's The Current hosted their last Policy and a Pint event of 2017. We discussed "The Caregiving Sandwich": The challenges and opportunities surrounding individuals who care for both their children...

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.

Saturday, September 27, 2025
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.