Helping teachers understand and engage students in civics education is our business.  The Learning Law and Democracy Foundation is a non-profit nonpartisan organization dedicated to building strong communities of engaged citizens through education in the law, democracy, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

For over 25 years, the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation has sponsored civics, government, and law-related education programs, including curriculum development, technical assistance, web-based resources, and programs designed for youth, their teachers, and other community members.   Through these activities, participants are developing the knowledge, skills, and character traits needed to be effective and responsible citizens.  

The Learning Law and Democracy Foundation launched in 1981 as the Minnesota Center for Community Legal Education at Hamline University School of Law. Although its initial mission focused on promoting the development of legal competence through law-related education in schools and community organizations, a 1996 move to the University of Minnesota broadened the vision to include instruction in civics and government.

In 2002, this expanded vision inspired the organization to become the Learning Law and Democracy Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization with offices in the Minnesota Humanities Education Center in St. Paul.