Civility Localized Acquires On The Ground Consulting
CHARLOTTE, NC – August 18, 2025 – Civility Localized Expands: On The Ground Consulting Joins Our Family of Brands
We are thrilled to share a significant milestone for Civility Localized: we have officially acquired On The Ground Consulting, a Raleigh-based firm that shares our deep commitment to authentic and impactful community engagement. This strategic merger is more than just an expansion; it's a testament to shared vision and a powerful step towards even greater reach and resources for the communities we serve.
This collaboration has a special origin story. Our Founder and Principal Consultant, Christine Edwards Pitkin, MPA, first crossed paths with Sara Ellis, the visionary behind On The Ground Consulting, at a national Urban Planning Conference in sunny Colorado. It was there, amidst discussions of urban development and civic participation, that Christine and Sara discovered a profound common ground. Both were driven by an unwavering passion for community engagement, recognizing its critical role in building equitable and thriving communities. This shared philosophy laid the groundwork for what would eventually become this exciting acquisition.
For Christine, this acquisition is a natural progression of Civility Localized's mission.
"This partnership allows us to continue providing exceptional community engagement services with even greater reach and resources," she explains. "We are committed to upholding the high standards Raleigh has come to expect, maintaining the integrity of On The Ground Consulting’s authentic approach, and actively recruiting local talent in the vibrant Triangle area."
Sara Ellis founded On The Ground Consulting in 2022, quickly building a reputation for her dedication to good engagement practices and valuable insights. We extend our deepest gratitude to Sara for her remarkable work in establishing such a reputable and authentic brand. Her commitment has laid solid foundations, and we are committed to building upon them with the same dedication.
Under the Civility Localized brand, our intentions with this acquisition are clear and threefold:
Maintain the integrity of the On The Ground Consulting brand and its authentic approach: We deeply respect the foundation Sara has built and will ensure its values and methodologies continue to thrive.
Recruit and hire local talent in Raleigh, NC, and the greater Triangle area, fostering community-led initiatives: Our growth means more opportunities for local experts to contribute to projects that truly reflect their communities' needs.
Leverage combined knowledge of effective engagement practices and data to deliver even stronger outcomes for community projects: By merging our expertise, we can achieve even more impactful and data-driven results.
To ensure a seamless transition, the On The Ground Consulting brand will initially play a key role in helping the Civility Localized team foster connections within the Raleigh community. Ultimately, all community engagement services will be conducted under the Civility Localized name. Our commitment to timely and fair compensation for all canvassers, both existing and new, remains a top priority throughout this process.
We are proud to continue the meaningful engagement conducted in such Raleigh-based projects as the Oaks and Spokes Transportation Refugee Outreach, the Durham Splash & Play park renovation, and the Lake Wheeler Road Improvement Project. These are just a few examples of the impactful work that will continue to flourish under the Civility Localized banner.
Our team is incredibly excited about this new chapter. We believe this expansion will bring even more opportunities to help communities grow with dignity, fostering a future where every voice is heard and valued.
We invite you to connect with us during this exciting new chapter. Reach out to us at hello@civilitylocalized.com – we'd love to hear from you!
About Civility Localized: Civility Localized is a Charlotte-based consulting firm founded in 2018 by civic firebrand Christine Edwards Pitkin, MPA. The firm fosters equitable and impactful community engagement on public projects, empowering communities to build more inclusive futures through innovative civic solutions and collaborative partnerships with local government. Since its inception, Civility Localized has grown into one of North Carolina’s preeminent community engagement consulting firms.
About Christine Edwards Pitkin, MPA: As an entrepreneur, Christine Edwards Pitkin has been recognized as a Civic Innovator, a 2025 Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Honoree, and was named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 List in 2025. In 2020, she received the Crowns of Enterprise Award for MBE of the year. Christine leads Civility Localized with a clear vision for equitable community engagement, and this acquisition is a testament to her confidence in the value On The Ground Consulting has created and her smart strategy for growth.
B-roll photos: Christine Edwards Pitkin, Founder of Civility Localized, and Sara Ellis, Founder of On The Ground Consulting
