League of Kansas Municipalities

What League of Kansas Municipalities does

The League of Kansas Municipalities is a voluntary membership association founded in 1910 that serves all 625 cities in Kansas, ranging from municipalities of 13 residents to cities of more than 400,000. It is defined by Kansas state law as an instrumentality of its member cities and operates as the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to Kansas city government interests. Its service mandate covers policy advocacy, legislative monitoring and lobbying, legal inquiry response (over 1,000 inquiries answered annually), training programs for elected and appointed officials, executive search, and youth civic education.

The organization's product portfolio spans publications (the Kansas Government Journal published since 1914 with circulation of ~3,500, the Tax Rate Book, the Municipal Revenue Survey, and the Salary & Personnel Survey), model ordinances (the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code), a sample ordinance library covering 28+ topics, codification services with over 70 years of League experience, executive search via LEAPS (placements in over 100 Kansas cities), and the Municipal Business Alliance commercial partnership program. Technology infrastructure consists of the YourMembership association management platform powering lkm.org, Google Analytics for web analytics, and an interactive Kansas Community Profiles platform co-developed with the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research using American Community Survey data. Five affiliate organizations (CAAK, CCMFOA, KACM, KMA, KAPIO) extend service delivery to specialized municipal official segments.

Revenue derives from a multi-stream model: voluntary city membership dues, publication and survey sales (some free to participating cities; $125 for non-participating cities accessing the Revenue Survey), fee-based professional services (codification, LEAPS executive search, personnel policy customization, KU PMC coaching), advertising and sponsorships (Kansas Government Journal, Municipal Business Alliance, Annual Conference), and conference/training event revenue. Operations are run by approximately 13-14 staff from a single Topeka headquarters at 300 SW 8th Avenue Suite 100 under Executive Director Nathan Eberline, the tenth executive director since 1910. The organization is governed by elected officials and city-appointed staff from member municipalities and is independent of any parent company.

Name

League of Kansas Municipalities

Legal name

League of Kansas Municipalities

Website

https://lkm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The League of Kansas Municipalities is a 115-year-old voluntary membership association serving all 625 Kansas cities through policy advocacy, legal services, training, executive search, and publications, operating as a state-law-defined instrumentality of its member municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Association Services / Local Government Membership Services

NAICS

Executive and Legislative Offices, Combined (92114), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

City Clerk/Records, Elections & Civic Engagement (BPAIACAB), Local Education Authorities & Municipal Education Offices (EDADABAD)

Keywords

• Municipal advocacy services
• Municipal legal services
• Government training programs
• Executive search services
• Ordinance codification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Voluntary membership fees from Kansas cities. League membership consists of cities with populations from 13 to over 400,000. The organization operates as a governmental agency defined by state law as an instrumentality of its member cities.
2. Publications and Surveys Sales: Sale of publications including Salary Survey, Revenue Survey, Tax Rate Book, Model Personnel Policies. Revenue Survey access costs $125 for non-participating cities. Some publications are free to participating members.
3. Service Fees: Fee-based services including LEAPS executive search service, ordinance codification services, personnel policy customization, and coaching services (in partnership with KU Public Management Center)
4. Advertising and Sponsorships: Kansas Government Journal advertising (circulation of about 3,500), Municipal Business Alliance memberships, Annual Conference sponsorships and exhibitor fees, and additional event sponsorships
5. Conference and Training Revenue: Revenue from Annual League Conference, Municipal Training Institute events, CLE conferences, City Leaders Academy, and various workshops (KOMA/KORA training, etc.)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The League of Kansas Municipalities is a voluntary membership association serving all 625 Kansas cities, providing legislative advocacy, legal inquiry services, training programs (Municipal Training Institute, City Leaders Academy), publications (Kansas Government Journal, Salary Survey, Revenue Survey, Tax Rate Book), ordinance codification, executive search (LEAPS), and model ordinances. It operates as an instrumentality of its member cities under Kansas state law, coordinating policy development, sample ordinances across 28 topics, and intergovernmental relations.

Product overview

The League of Kansas Municipalities operates as a membership association offering a portfolio of services to Kansas cities rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include advocacy and policy development, legal inquiry services, and training programs (Municipal Training Institute, City Leaders Academy). Key publications include the Kansas Government Journal, Tax Rate Book, Municipal Revenue Survey, and Salary & Personnel Survey. The League provides ordinance services including the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code, codification services, and executive search services through LEAPS. Educational offerings span youth civic education programs and the Local Leaders of Tomorrow essay contest. Recognition programs include Public Service Awards, Employee Recognition Program with themed gift cards, and the E.A. Mosher Excellence Award. The organization also maintains the Directory of Kansas Public Officials, Kansas Community Profiles data platform, and the Municipal Business Alliance partnership program. Many services are free to members while some, like personnel policy customization and codification, are offered on a fee basis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kansas Government Journal (KGJ)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 legal inquiries answered annually from local officials
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• City Attorneys Association of Kansas (CAAK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAAK provides city attorneys with opportunities to study, learn, and engage in exchange of ideas with other municipal law professionals. League staff serves as CAAK's executive secretary and coordinates two CLE conferences annually for the organization.
• Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKACM has supported local government management professionals since 1951, promoting ethical standards and governance. League manages KACM website, coordinates conferences and events, and serves as executive secretary. League staff (Kate Cooley) serves as KACM executive secretary.
• Kansas Mayors Association (KMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMA offers a unique platform for mayors statewide to network, share experiences, and exchange information. League manages KMA membership and coordinates KMA events including Annual Business Seminar at League Annual Conference.
• Kansas Association of Public Information Officers (KAPIO)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAPIO is a statewide association of government and quasi-government public information officers and communication professionals. League coordinates with KAPIO on shared initiatives.
• City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association (CCMFOA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCMFOA is a professional group dedicated to promoting quality standards, member development, and effective management of governmental records in Kansas.
• ICC Code SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC Code Solutions serves as the League's Codification Program Consultant with outstanding history of customer service. ICC assists League in providing timely codifications with option to regularly supplement and publish codes online in searchable format. ICC supports 12 other state municipal leagues.
• United Women’s Empowerment (United WE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeague and member cities work with United WE to encourage diverse and underrepresented board and commission appointments. League participates in United WE's Appointments Project, the only program in the country helping women get appointed to civic boards at city, county and state level.
• University of Kansas Public Management Center (KU PMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeague partners with KU PMC to provide coaching opportunities for Kansas local officials as a fee-based service. KU PMC is the professional development arm of KU's School of Public Affairs & Administration. Their coaches connect leaders with experienced coaches who understand unique challenges of public service.
• Wichita State University Public Policy & Management CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three university partners facilitating the League's 2023 strategic planning process. Provided Senior Management Consultant Kathy Sexton for strategic planning support.
• University of Kansas Public Management CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three university partners facilitating the League's 2023 strategic planning process. Part of KU School of Public Affairs & Administration.
• Docking Institute at Fort Hays State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three university partners facilitating the League's 2023 strategic planning process.
• Kansas Census Data Center (Institute for Policy & Social Research at University of Kansas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeague collaboration since 2019 to create demographic profile PDFs for every Kansas city. Partnership continued with IPSR transforming PDF profiles into interactive Kansas Community Profiles online platform with up-to-date data. Census data updated annually.
• American Legal PublishingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Legal Publishing partners with the League for ordinance codification services. Known for excellent service and supports 12 other state municipal leagues.
• Municipal Business Alliance PartnerssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerYear-round partnership program providing exposure to thousands of key decision makers in Kansas local government. Includes businesses in categories: accounting, attorneys/collections, bond counsels, architecture, contractors, engineers, energy services, financial consultants, insurance, investment bankers, management consultants, utilities, and more.
• CTC Disaster Response, Inc.minorOthersDisaster debris removal contractor serving city and county governments since 2005. Assists with FEMA Public Assistance reimbursements and storm debris management.
• Kansas Water, Wastewater, Gas & Electric Mutual Aid ProgramminorOthersMutual aid network providing specialized equipment, materials, and trained certified personnel for utility recovery during disasters.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Municipal League: Texas's largest state municipal league serving over 1,100 cities. Directly comparable operating model with voluntary membership, legal services, training, publications, and an affiliated foundation — operates at much larger scale but with identical value proposition.
• League of Oregon Cities: Oregon's voluntary membership association for cities providing advocacy, technical assistance, training, and legal inquiry services. Similar structure to LKM including affiliate-style professional associations and member publications.
• League of Minnesota Cities: Minnesota's statewide municipal membership association serving cities through advocacy, training, legal services, and publications. Operates the same voluntary-membership, dues-and-services model as LKM with comparable products including research surveys, executive search, and a member-only journal.
• North Carolina League of Municipalities: North Carolina's statewide association serving cities and towns through advocacy, training, publications, and legal services. Comparable in size, service portfolio, and voluntary-membership operating model.
• Michigan Municipal League: Michigan's statewide association for cities and villages offering advocacy, training, publications, and legal resources. Closely comparable in scope, revenue mix (membership dues, magazine, events, fee-based services), and statutory positioning.
• Ohio Municipal League: Ohio's statewide association of cities and villages providing legislative advocacy, training, publications, and legal support. Same voluntary-membership structure and similar scope of services as LKM.
• Association of Washington Cities: Washington state's voluntary membership association of cities providing advocacy, training, member services, and legal resources. Directly comparable operating model and service mix to LKM.
• Colorado Municipal League: Colorado's association of municipalities offering advocacy, legal services, training, and publications. Directly comparable membership-based model serving cities of all sizes within a single state.
• Florida League of Cities: Florida's statewide municipal league providing legislative advocacy, training, publications, and risk services to member cities. Closely mirrors LKM's service portfolio and statutory instrumentality role.

Broad incumbents

• National League of Cities: National-level membership organization representing municipal governments across the United States. Provides federal advocacy, training, and publications that complement — and partly overlap with — state leagues like LKM, though it does not replicate LKM's Kansas-specific legal, codification, or local advocacy depth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LeagueKSMunis
• Instagraminstagram.com/leagueksmunis
• Pinterestpinterest.com/leagueofksmunicipalities
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeagueKSMunis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leagueksmunis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about League of Kansas Municipalities