The National Civic League is an American non-profit organization that advocates for transparency, effectiveness, and openness in local government. It was founded as the National Municipal League in 1894 at a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania convention of politicians, policy-makers, journalists, and educators (including Theodore Roosevelt, Louis Brandeis, Marshall Field, and Frederick Law Olmsted) to discuss the future of American cities. It also promotes professional management of local government through publication of "model charters" for both city and county governments.