Northern Trust: More Than a Century of Commitment to Chicago

Northern Trust has been a steadfast partner to The Chicago Community Trust since our founding. As a trustee bank, Northern Trust manages a significant portion of the Trust’s assets, but the relationship has always been more than financial. It is a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to the region we both call home.

For more than 136 years, the global financial institution has been headquartered in Chicago — a connection that continues to shape its civic outlook. “Our vision is for Chicago to remain a thriving, diverse metropolis, supported by a dynamic business community, excellent schools, robust healthcare systems, and vibrant cultural institutions,” says Northern Trust Chairman and CEO Michael O’Grady. “Together, we work to strengthen Chicago and its residents through meaningful contributions and volunteerism.”

That vision comes to life through the work of The Northern Trust Charitable Foundation, whose Chicago strategy focuses on supporting youth and families through investments in food security, housing stability, healthcare access, and quality education. The Foundation prioritizes place-based grantmaking to ensure resources reach neighborhoods where they can make the greatest long-term impact. It also supports transformational initiatives — such as the $1 million Anchor Award — helping nonprofits scale their work.

We are proud to partner with Northern Trust to amplify efforts across shared priorities — combining capital, expertise, and community knowledge to expand opportunity for our neighbors. Initiatives such as the Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab support local business owners through mentorship and hands-on guidance, while SC2 — Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago — brings cross-sector leadership to the challenge of community safety. Other examples include pandemic response efforts and neighborhood revitalization through We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery.

“A century of working together has shown us that partnership doesn’t just add value — it transforms what’s possible.”

SHANA HAYES
Chief Social Impact Officer
Northern Trust

The Trust also serves as the sponsor of the Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program, helping clients establish and activate donor advised funds while providing grantmaking expertise and due diligence. The program now distributes close to $1 billion in charitable grants each year — demonstrating what’s possible when institutions partner with trust, humility, and lasting commitment.