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Citizens League

EIN 41-0722696 · Saint Paul, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$768,838
Spending
$978,551
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
16
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$181,554, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $709,805 spent. IN 2024, CITIZENS LEAGUE ENGAGED WITH PEOPLE ACROSS MINNESOTA TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES, SHAPE SOLUTIONS, AND BE CIVICALLY ACTIVE. WE ACCOMPLISHED THIS THROUGH SEVERAL PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL EVENTS; WORKING WITH ORGANIZATION PARTNERS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THEIR EMPLOYEES; AND CONTINUING THE CAPITOL PATHWAYS PROGRAM, WHICH COMPLETED ITS NINTH YEAR PROVIDING PAID INTERNSHIPS WITH HOST ORGANIZATIONS FOR MORE THAN 40 BIPOC COLLEGE STUDENTS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING MINNESOTA'S GOVERNMENT MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1953.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.