At Proximity, we understand that sustainable, positive community impact requires a conscious and collective effort.
Our
Community
Themes
We show our dedication and create impact by assisting not-for-profit organisations that address issues in our communities, focusing on one or more of our Community Themes:
- Improving mental health
- Progressing reconciliation and empowerment
- Preventing family violence
Our
Community
Partners
We focus on long-term, sustainable support to organisations that contribute to one or more of our Community Themes. If you are a community organisation operating in our Community Themes, please get in touch with us to discuss how we can help.
Pro Bono
legal advice
We were the first incorporated legal practice to become a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s Aspirational Pro Bono Target of 35 hours per annum per lawyer, and Proximity has exceeded that target in each of the past four years.
Pro bono is an important way we have a positive impact on our local communities. Importantly, our pro bono isn’t limited to legal advice – we provide our full suite of consulting, legal, and commercial services to community organisations as required.
Governance
Proximity has been built on a strong culture of pro bono and a sense of community.
Proximity’s strong and innovative pro bono culture stems from our co-founders valuing pro bono work for both the communities we operate in, and for the business, through improved staff engagement, a sense of purpose and connection to community. Both co-founders have participated in pro bono each year since its formation, making 2020 their ninth straight year of pro bono engagement. With our co-founders leading the way, employees understand the expectation and value of participating in pro bono, and we focus on recruiting the right people to continue this legacy.
Meet our Community Management Team

Samantha Ferry
Senior Advisor

Cara Hammerton
Advisor
Events
Proximity hosts and attends events that are linked to our Community Themes, whether it is a morning tea for NAIDOC Week, or attending Menslink’s Big Night Out each year.
We also host community organisations that require a boardroom or separate space for strategic meetings or fundraising events. If you are involved with a community organisation that is in need of a space, please reach out to us and we will accommodate you as best we can.

Fundraising
At Proximity, we support our Community Themes through dedicated fundraising activities. We seek to engage staff and the broader community in raising awareness and funds for community sector organisations and initiatives that align with our Community Themes.
Proximity undertakes two types of fundraising:
- Staff and community contributions only
- Staff contributions matched by Proximity
We utilise third-party fundraising sites, such as Give Now, to ensure our fundraising initiatives remain compliant with ACT fundraising legislation.
Reconciliation
Proximity is excited to commence our formal reconciliation journey with its first Reconciliation Action Plan – the Reflect RAP – developed in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia.


“We thank those staff who have worked to develop our first Reconciliation Action Plan. Its implementation over the next 12 months is a shared staff responsibility as we continue to further develop our understanding, learnings, and respect for First Nations people.”
While we are just beginning our reconciliation journey, we do so with a deep desire and commitment to build strong foundations and respectful, meaningful, and sustainable relationships with all First Nations peoples, and particularly with local Indigenous communities in the locations around Australia where we work.
We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians and affirm their important and unique position in Australian life as the custodians of the land. We celebrate the contribution that First Nations people bring, and are capable of bringing to Proximity, our staff, and our community.
This Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the first steps Proximity will take to make systemic and sustainable contributions across our organisation to support reconciliation. We seek to better understand and build on our existing reconciliation activities, and identify how to better engage with First Nations people in our communities through our internal processes, our supply chain, service delivery, and overall impact on the communities we work in.
Reconciliation is a journey Proximity is committed to taking, just as we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and cultural awareness across our organisation.
Community
awards
Finalist – Pro Bono Program of the Year, 2021, Australian Law Awards
Finalist – Pro Bono Program of the Year, 2020, Australian Law Awards