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Nrf Foundation

EIN 52-1224690 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NRF FOUNDATION SHAPES RETAIL'S FUTURE BY BUILDING AWARENESS OF THE INDUSTRY THROUGH STATISTICS AND STORIES; DEVELOPING TALENT THROUGH EDUCATION, EXPERIENCES AND SCHOLARSHIPS; AND FOSTERING CAREER GROWTH AMONG PEOPLE WHO WORK IN RETAIL.

Income
$12.5 million
Spending
$10.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$6.3 million, president and ceo, nrf

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $3.6 million spent. RESEARCH AND RETAIL INDUSTRY PROJECTS: IN ORDER TO ENSURE FUTURE LEADERSHIP IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY, THE FOUNDATION ACTIVELY WORKS WITH CURRENT RETAIL LEADERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS INFORMING AND EDUCATING THEM ABOUT CAREER PATHS WITHIN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES PLATFORMS WHERE ALL OF THESE PARTICIPANTS CAN MEET AND ENGAGE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
  2. $2.4 million spent. RISE UP: TRAINING AND CREDENTIALING INITIATIVE DESIGNED BY THE RETAIL INDUSTRY TO HELP PEOPLE - REGARDLESS OF EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, ECONOMIC MEANS OR AGE - ACQUIRE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO LAND JOBS IN RETAIL AND ADVANCE INTO PROMISING CAREERS.
  3. $874,824 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS: IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY THROUGH EDUCATION, THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS SEVERAL PROGRAMS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDVIDUALS ATTENDING ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A VARIETY OF CAREERS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. THE CRITERIA FOR AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FURTHER DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE I OF THIS FORM 990.
  4. $753,146 spent. CAREERS AND STUDENT OUTREACH

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending February 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.