Exhibit (l)(21)

                           FORM OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, and Eric K.
Schweitzer (the "Purchaser"), hereby agree as follows:

     1. The Trust hereby offers the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby purchases
ten shares of the Enhanced Large Cap Fund (the "Enhanced Large Cap Share") for
$10.00 per share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from the Purchaser of
funds in full payment for the foregoing Enhanced Large Cap Shares shares.

     2. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Trust that the foregoing
Enhanced Large Cap 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 _______________, 2005.

                                        NORTHERN FUNDS


                                        By:
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                                        ERIC K. SCHWEITZER


                                        By:
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