NRF Foundation Marketing & Communications Intern

The NRF Foundation provides the skills and resources needed for a life-changing career. As NRF's nonprofit 501(c)(3), we connect people to an industry that’s a great place to start and a great place to grow. Together, we help people build better lives and stronger communities. The NRF Foundation team works to connect people of all backgrounds to extraordinary careers with industry-recognized training and credentials with its RISE Up program , and helps university students nationwide accelerate their careers in retail through more than $800,000 in scholarships annually and year-round opportunities to connect to company recruiters and industry mentors.

We have exciting internship opportunities for college students to learn valuable insights about the retail industry and the role of a trade association. Do you have a passion for the retail industry? Do you enjoy learning and gaining hands-on experience working with a team? If yes, this may be the summer internship for you. Interested candidates should apply with a resume and cover letter by February 20, 2026, to be considered.

Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – July 30, 2026

Hourly Rate: $25 – $28

Location: Washington, D.C. Office

Work Model: Hybrid — In-office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; remote Monday and Friday

The NRF Foundation Marketing & Communications Intern will assist the NRF Foundation Communications & Content team in planning, developing, publishing and reporting on digital content.

Essential Functions

• Assist with developing blog posts to share impact stories from our training partners and scholarship recipients
• Assist with the creation of classroom activities and other content for our NRF Foundation RISE Up training partners
• Support the creation of a marketing campaign for an NRF Foundation program
• Assist with social media planning, scheduling and production
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Current rising junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, English, journalism, public relations, digital media, or a related field
• Strong writing skills and ability to tailor content for different audiences
• Curious, creative, and strong critical thinking skills
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with NRF Foundation programs
• Experience with social media planning, content creation, or campaign development
• Exposure to storytelling, interviewing, or content strategy through coursework or extracurricular projects

Application Deadline: Must apply by February 20, 2026 for consideration.

The National Retail Federation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.