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
Capitol Pathways 2018 is underway! (Photos)
Capitol Pathways, our paid internship program for college students of color and indigenous students, kicked off last week with an extensive training for our students, including a visit to the Capitol. Our thanks to James Chang for leading many...
Pioneer Press: In praise of intelligent decision-making — and the Citizens League
The Pioneer Press Editorial Board recognized the Citizens League in a recent editorial as a much-needed body with recent successes in these times of political and ideological division: In recent months, the league’s contributions have had a high profile among St. Paul...
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:...
Expertise on Caregiving is Incomplete without the Perspective of Caregivers
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...
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
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...
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.