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
Capitol Pathways Students Gather for First Meeting and Social
Our Capitol Pathways program continues as the students finally meet each other in person, and others, during the recent cohort meeting and social. Thanks to all students, alumni, supporters, and others who could make it to our first social of this program year.
Meet the 2023 Capitol Pathways cohort
Coinciding with Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session, a new program year has begun, providing an immersive, hands-on policy experience.
Your year-end support is needed!
There has never been a more important time to show your support of coming together to find common ground, for the common good. If you’re able, please consider a gift today.
Citizens League Report: Serving in Elected Office
Read our new report on why people run, decline to run, remain serving, or step down from office, and the impact on local government.
Watch now: Run, Serve, and Lead: What it’s really like to serve in local elected office
This online event on in December 2022 highlighted findings of a new Citizens League report interviewing candidates and elected officials from all around the Twin Cities metro area and its suburbs.
Citizens League welcomes new board members in 2023
With great enthusiasm, the Citizens League Board of Directors has unanimously approved three new members to join the Board of Directors in 2023! We are excited to welcome this group to our all-volunteer board.
Current Work
Interconnected: Rural-Urban Conversations
This conversation series – hosted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Citizens League – bridges the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities. All discussions are recorded and can be listened to and viewed online.
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.
Serving in Local Elected Office
Throughout the summer and fall of 2022, we sought out perspectives of those who have been asked to serve, those currently serving, and those running for local office in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Learn about what we heard.
Events
The Citizens League hosts forums for civil discussion across Minnesota. Our event series includes events that are open to the public, member-only and workplace events to help inform and engage Minnesotans on important policy and civic leadership discussions.
Interconnected: Minnesota's Housing Crisis
Join our next online conversation on the housing crisis in both rural and urban areas of Minnesota.
Thursday, June 6, 2024
2024 Capitol Pathways Celebration
Join us to celebrate our largest Capitol Pathways student cohort! During the 2024 legislative session, students learned about public policymaking, developed career readiness skills and grew their professional network.