Philanthropic Services

Establish a tradition of charitable giving

For more than a century, we have helped families make an enduring impact on the community and future generations through strategic philanthropy.

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Perpetuate Your Vision

Developing an effective charitable giving strategy can have a positive impact on the community as well as strengthen the values that are most important to you and your family.

We can help you identify and refine your philanthropic goals and implement an effective, long-term charitable giving strategy. In developing this strategy, we help you:

Articulate a mission statement for your charitable giving
Explore various giving options and determine which one is best suited for you
Develop strategies to maximize the tax advantages of giving
Decide how much to give and which assets to use
Determine how to involve family or friends in the giving process

Whether you wish to direct donations to a single charity, create a charitable trust or establish a family foundation, we can help you maximize the impact of your philanthropic efforts and lay the foundation for future generations.

Charitable Giving Strategies

Create an integrated wealth transfer plan that supports your philanthropic objectives.

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Philanthropic Capabilities

Supporting your charitable pursuits.

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Marguerite Griffin

National Director of Philanthropic Services

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Marguerite Griffin

National Director of Philanthropic Services

As national director of philanthropic services, Marguerite is responsible for the delivery and growth of Northern Trust's philanthropic services to Personal Financial Services clients. She specializes in administering charitable trusts and private foundations and counsels clients regarding charitable giving and grant-making practices. Marguerite was most recently a senior trust administrator and relationship manager in the Personal Trust Administration Department where she was responsible for the administration of large, complex trusts for individuals and families, including irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships, charitable trusts and supporting organizations. Her duties involved working with sophisticated estate plans, sensitive family situations and complex property transfers.

Prior to joining Northern Trust in 1999, Marguerite was a vice president and trust administrator within the private clients division of Bank One (now Chase). She also practiced law as an associate with Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz where she specialized in estate planning, nonprofit organization law, charitable trusts and private foundations.

Marguerite received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, her law degree from Northwestern University School and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Estate Planning Council and is admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court. Marguerite has received recognition from Chicago United as a 2007 Business Leader of Color.

She is an active volunteer, advisor and board member with several charitable and cultural institutions, including The Art Institute of Chicago, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Community Trust, The Ravinia Festival and the WFMT/WTTW Planned Giving Committee and the Donors Forum.