<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2010-02-17</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <accessionNumber>0001193125-10-000472</accessionNumber>
        <submissionType>485APOS</submissionType>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000916620</cik>
            <entityName>NORTHERN FUNDS</entityName>
            <fileNumber>033-73404</fileNumber>
            <seriesClassContractData>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000001244</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>NORTHERN SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000003390</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>NORTHERN SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND</classContractName>
                </existing>
            </seriesClassContractData>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
