Northern Trust Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,339,000 (2024)
Success Rate: Data not publicly available
Decision Time: Data not publicly available
Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000
Geographic Focus: Chicago South and West Sides
Target Beneficiaries: Youth ages 16-24

Contact Details

Website: https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility/corporate-philanthropy/foundation

Application Portal: Online application by invitation following Letter of Inquiry submission

Overview

Northern Trust Foundation is the corporate foundation of Northern Trust Corporation, one of the United States' oldest and largest financial institutions. In 2024, Northern Trust committed $70 million to strengthen the foundation's capacity for long-term charitable giving. The foundation provided $3,339,000 in grants in 2024, focusing exclusively on supporting low-income youth ages 16-24 on Chicago's South and West Sides. The foundation's strategy aligns with Northern Trust's broader global philanthropic focus on accessible healthcare, affordable housing, quality education, and food security. Over the past decade, Northern Trust has contributed more than $170 million globally to nonprofits. The foundation emphasizes supporting organizations with proven track records of impact and requires a minimum of three years of incorporation for eligible applicants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grant Program: $10,000 - $50,000

General operating support and program grants for organizations serving youth ages 16-24
Letter of Inquiry required, followed by invitation to submit full online application
Organizations may receive funding for up to three consecutive years, followed by a mandatory one-year gap before reapplying
Only one grant request per organization per calendar year

Northern Trust Anchor Award: Up to $1,000,000

Invitation-only award for past or current Northern Trust Foundation grantees
Limited to organizations with budgets between $2 million and $10 million
Focused on capacity building, infrastructure strengthening, and organizational effectiveness
Inaugural award (2023) went to Nourishing Hope, a Chicago-based food security organization

Priority Areas

Food Security: Programs that increase access to, awareness of, and participation in free food distribution programs and nutrition assistance services

Education: Programs supporting students "to and through" college or alternative pathways to careers, including college access and completion support

Healthcare: Physical and mental healthcare access programs for youth

Housing Stability: Support for youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

What They Don't Fund

Organizations outside of Chicago's South and West Sides
Programs not directly serving youth ages 16-24
Organizations with less than three years of incorporation
Multiple applications from the same organization in a single calendar year
Organizations that have received three consecutive years of funding (must wait one year)

Governance and Leadership

Michael G. O'Grady, Chairman and CEO of Northern Trust Corporation, oversees the foundation's strategic direction. O'Grady has stated: "Northern Trust is committed to creating better financial futures for the communities where we live and work." Regarding the foundation's impact, he emphasized: "We are pleased to play a role in expanding the scope and scale of a compassionate, results-based nonprofit organization addressing fundamental human needs."

The foundation operates as part of Northern Trust's broader corporate social responsibility structure, which emphasizes "A commitment of service to these constituents has always driven Northern's strategy," applying not just to clients but to employees and communities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Northern Trust Foundation uses a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) system:

Submit Letter of Inquiry: Organizations must first submit an LOI during stated grant cycles through the foundation's process
Eligibility Review: Foundation staff review LOIs to determine fit with current priorities
Invitation to Apply: If deemed eligible, organizations receive an email invitation to submit a full online application
Online Application: Only applications submitted through the online portal by invited organizations will be considered
Applications submitted outside this process will not be accepted

Eligibility Requirements:

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Minimum three years of incorporation
Proven track record of impact
Provide direct services to youth ages 16-24
Serve populations residing on Chicago's South and West Sides

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on stated grant cycles throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates and competitiveness data are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply and receive funding for three consecutive years maximum. After receiving three consecutive years of funding, organizations become ineligible to apply for a one-year period. After the one-year gap, organizations may reapply. Only one grant request per organization is considered in any calendar year.

Application Success Factors

Focus on Proven Impact: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations with "a proven track record of impact" and requires at least three years of operational history. Applications should demonstrate measurable outcomes and evidence-based approaches.

Geographic Specificity: The foundation has narrowed its focus exclusively to Chicago's South and West Sides. Organizations must demonstrate that their beneficiaries reside in these specific areas.

Age-Specific Programming: All funded programs must directly serve youth ages 16-24. This is a non-negotiable requirement, and the foundation has clearly defined this demographic focus.

Alignment with Priority Areas: Successful applications align closely with one or more of the four priority areas: food security, education/college access, healthcare access, or housing stability. The foundation's website and materials use specific language around "fundamental needs" and "opportunities for financial success."

Multi-Year Relationship Building: The foundation's three-year funding model suggests they value long-term partnerships. Organizations should consider how their first year's work can lead to continued collaboration and deepening impact.

Capacity and Infrastructure: The existence of the Anchor Award indicates the foundation values organizational strength. Even standard grant applications should demonstrate strong governance, financial management, and capacity for impact.

Special Partnerships

Northern Trust Fund with McCormick Foundation: Launched in 2022, this collaborative fund distributed more than $2.3 million to 52 grantees in its first year, demonstrating Northern Trust's commitment to strategic partnerships that amplify impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic focus is absolute: Only organizations serving youth on Chicago's South and West Sides should apply—this is strictly enforced
Three-year commitment potential: Structure your proposal with sustainability in mind, as the foundation may support your work for three consecutive years
Proven impact is essential: With a minimum three-year incorporation requirement and emphasis on track records, new organizations should wait to apply until they have established outcomes data
Target age range is non-negotiable: Programs must directly serve the 16-24 age demographic—general youth programs serving broader age ranges are not eligible
Letter of Inquiry is mandatory: No direct applications are accepted; all organizations must start with an LOI during stated grant cycles
Consider the Anchor Award pathway: For established grantees with budgets between $2-10 million, the invitation-only Anchor Award represents a significant capacity-building opportunity
Align with corporate values: Northern Trust emphasizes "service" and "creating better financial futures"—applications should speak to economic opportunity and fundamental human needs

References

Northern Trust Foundation Official Website, https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility/corporate-philanthropy/foundation, accessed December 23, 2025
Cause IQ - Northern Trust Foundation Profile, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/northern-trust-foundation,842220090/, accessed December 23, 2025
Northern Trust Corporate Philanthropy Page, https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility/corporate-philanthropy, accessed December 23, 2025
Northern Trust Philanthropy FAQ, https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility/corporate-philanthropy/frequently-asked-questions, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust Commits $70 million to its Charitable Foundation," Northern Trust Press Release, 2024, https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/pr/2024/northern-trust-commits--70-million-to-its-charitable-foundation, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust Pledges $70 Million to Enhance Economic Opportunity in Chicago," The Chronicle of Philanthropy, https://www.philanthropy.com/article/northern-trust-pledges-70-million-to-enhance-economic-opportunity-in-chicago, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust Anchor Award Goes to Nourishing Hope," Business Wire, November 16, 2023, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116374629/en/Northern-Trust-Anchor-Award-Goes-to-Nourishing-Hope, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust Announces Inaugural Philanthropy Award," Northern Trust, September 14, 2023, https://www.northerntrust.com/africa/pr/2023/northern-trust-announces-inaugural-philanthropy-award, accessed December 23, 2025
Northern Trust Foundation Partnership with McCormick Foundation, https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/partnerships/northern-trust-foundation/, accessed December 23, 2025
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Northern Trust Foundation (EIN: 84-2220090), https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/842220090, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust CEO Michael O'Grady named Civic Committee chair," Crain's Chicago Business, https://www.chicagobusiness.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/northern-trust-ceo-michael-ogrady-named-civic-committee-chair, accessed December 23, 2025
"Northern Trust Releases Latest Philanthropic Impact Report," Business Wire, 2025, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250415637838/en/Northern-Trust-Releases-Latest-Philanthropic-Impact-Report, accessed December 23, 2025