PURCHASE AGREEMENT ------------------ Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, and ______________ hereby agree as follows: 1. The Trust hereby offers ________________, and ________________ hereby purchases, ______ shares of the Trust's...

                                                                  EXHIBIT L(16)
                                    FORM OF
                                    -------

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



     Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, and ______________
hereby agree as follows:

     1.   The Trust hereby offers ________________, and ________________ hereby
purchases, ______ shares of the Trust's Large Cap Value Fund (the "Share") at
$10.00 per Share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from ________________ of
funds in full payment for the foregoing Share.

     2.   ________________ represents and warrants to the Trust that the
foregoing Share is 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 August 2, 2000.


                              NORTHERN FUNDS


                              By:
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