Charitable Trust Policies

Contributions from the Charitable Trust will support program, general operating, capital or endowment priorities in Chicago. Grants usually are confined to programs and agencies that focus on advancing the well-being of disadvantaged women and children, and people with disabilities. Priority is given to programs or agencies that serve the following Chicago neighborhoods: Chatham, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Loop, Washington Park and West Town.

Grants from the Charitable Trust may be awarded for three consecutive years, with one year off before an organization is eligible to apply again. General operating grants are not renewed automatically and there are no multi-year gifts for operating.

The Northern Trust Charitable Trust does not make contributions to:

Organizations located outside the specified Chicago neighborhoods
Individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance
Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Organizations/agencies that receive 5% or more of their funding from the United Way
National health organizations (or their local affiliates) or research/disease advocacy groups
Fraternal groups
Fundraising events
Advertising or marketing activities
Political, labor, or fraternal organizations or civic clubs; this includes advocacy, government agency and political entities
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
Individual pre-K through 12 schools (public or private)
Sports, athletic events or athletic programs
Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
Development or production of books, films, videos or television programs
Memorial campaigns
Organizations less than two years old
Multi-year operating requests

This list is not all inclusive.

Grantees that have been approved for multi-year funding must report annually on the progress they have made toward meeting the grant objectives.

Ethics and Employee Relations Hotline

Northern Trust maintains an overriding commitment to the highest standards of integrity, ethics and honesty. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides the foundation of that commitment and defines our relationships with our clients, with each other and with all the people that contribute to Northern Trust’s success.

Concerns about Northern Trust or the conduct of its people should be referred to our Business Abuse and Employee Relations Hotline, which is run by NAVEX Global, an independent third party, by any of the following methods:

By secure website:
https://www.tnwinc.com/northerntrust/

By phone:

China: 10-800-711-0644
India: 888-372-8798
Ireland: 1-800-558-650
North America: 1-800-241-5689
Singapore: 800-110-1876
United Kingdom and Guernsey: 0808-234-5975
Other locations: 1-770-613-6716

Government Relations and Political Contributions

Northern Trust Corporation supports public policy positions that enhance the safety of client assets and promote the safety and soundness of the financial system and a strong global economy.

Northern Trust concentrates its public policy positions in areas most relevant to its businesses. Our public policy and lobbying focus includes, among other things, United States federal, state and European Union financial regulatory reform efforts. We work with certain trade associations of which we are a member and we also meet directly with members of Congress, state legislators, regulators and other government officials globally to discuss our positions and make recommendations for improved policy and regulation.

At the United States federal level, we focus on proposed regulatory and policy changes that will impact our businesses and support those changes that will enhance the safety of client assets and promote the safety and soundness of the financial system and a strong global economy. At the state level, we regularly meet with elected and appointed officials to discuss public policy positions that will impact the businesses of The Northern Trust Company, our principal subsidiary and the largest bank chartered in Illinois. In appropriate circumstances, we file comment letters to proposed federal regulations, copies of which are publicly available from regulatory agencies.

The Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors provides oversight of the political, lobbying and other public advocacy activities of the Corporation, including with respect to significant trade association memberships.

Political Contributions by Employees

Northern Trust expects employees to seek guidance and pre-clear certain individual political contributions. More detailed Northern Trust policies and procedures that apply to all employees or certain groups of employees are set forth in pre-clearance procedures and other documents, including a summary of state and local jurisdictions with “pay-to-play” restrictions on political contributions.

Corporate and PAC Political Contributions

Northern Trust engages in the political process in order to advance and protect its long-term interests.

Northern Trust does not contribute directly to candidates for public office.

Northern Trust contributes corporate funds to industry trade organizations relating to its public policy objectives. Participation in these organizations is important to gain industry insight, foster relationships and professional opportunities within the industry, and facilitate and collaborate on public policy topics of mutual interest. The principal trade associations to which we belong are the American Bankers Association, Financial Services Roundtable, Investment Company Institute and SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). We also belong to the Illinois Bankers Association.

Northern Trust sponsors both a federal-only political action committee and a multi-candidate political action committee (“Northern PACs”). Both are allowed to solicit a restricted class of Northern Trust’s U.S. employees for contributions, which then can be used to support candidates who support effective legislation important to Northern Trust. All contributions to Northern PACs are voluntary; employees are neither favored nor disadvantaged on the basis of their participation. Decisions about potential contributions are reviewed and approved by the respective leadership of the Northern PACs, based on the public policy interests of Northern Trust. Federal lobbying reports may be found at:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/Public_Disclosure/LDA_reports.htm and our financial contributions can be found at:
http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/candcmte_info.shtml . (Effective February 19, 2018)

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Statement of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

As a signatory to and participant in the Carbon Disclosure Project, Northern Trust calculates and discloses its greenhouse gas emissions yearly using available data and assumptions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol of the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable development.

Download a pdf of our current statement of greenhouse gas emissions or view our historic disclosures at www.cdp.net.

Australia Workplace Gender Equality Report

As part of our continued focus on diversity & inclusion and achieving gender balance in our workforce, Northern Trust actively complies with any government legislation requiring the disclosure of our gender diversity information and policies.

It is in this light that Northern Trust has lodged its report to the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), which requires all organizations with 100 or more employees in Australia to complete an annual questionnaire addressing gender equality in the workplace. In addition to fulfilling the legislative requirement, this exercise helps us assess and further strengthen our own gender equality agenda.

For more information, download the Northern Trust WGEA report: https://www.wgea.gov.au/public-reports.

Gender Pay Gap Statement

Fostering and supporting a globally diverse and inclusive workforce is a strength of Northern Trust and is what will help us to succeed. We are an equal opportunity employer and aim for excellence in our efforts to recruit and develop our workforce.

As required by government legislation, Northern Trust and all companies in Great Britain with more than 250 employees, must disclose their gender pay gap by April 2018. We support the widespread publishing of gender pay gaps and are continually looking to make improvements to close our own gender pay gap.

For more information, download and read the Northern Trust Gender Pay Gap Reports:

Northern Trust Gender Pay Gap Report (2019)

Watch our short animation video to find out more.