PURCHASE AGREEMENT ------------------ Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, and Brian R. Curran hereby agree as follows: 1. The Trust hereby offers Brian R. Curran, and Brian R.Curran hereby purchases, five shares of the...

                                                                 Exhibit (l)(14)




                              PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                              ------------------



      Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, and Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxx hereby agree as follows:

      1. The Trust  hereby  offers Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx,  and Xxxxx  X.Xxxxxx  hereby
purchases,  five shares of the Trust's Global Communications Fund (the "Shares")
at $10.00 per Share. The Trust hereby acknowledges  receipt from Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
of funds in full payment for the foregoing Shares.

      2. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx represents and warrants to the Trust that the foregoing
Shares are being  acquired  for  investment  purposes and not with a view to the
distribution thereof.

      IN AGREEMENT  WHEREOF,  and  intending  to be legally  bound  hereby,  the
parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of May 8, 2000.

                                     NORTHERN FUNDS


                                     By: /s/Jylanne X.Xxxxx


                                    XXXXX X. XXXXXX
                                     /s/Xxxxx X.Xxxxxx