The NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund expands access to industry‑recognized retail training and credentials for job seekers across the United States. Through partnerships with community‑based organizations, workforce development providers, and educational institutions, the fund equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to secure meaningful employment and advance in retail and related industries.

Retail is the nation’s largest private‑sector employer and offers accessible entry points, transferable skills, and clear pathways for career growth. By investing in training that aligns with employer needs, the NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund helps individuals overcome barriers to employment while strengthening the talent pipeline for the retail industry and beyond.

The NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund is open to qualified organizations serving active job seekers, including:

• Community‑based organizations

• Workforce development organizations

• Community colleges

• Select educational institutions

While preference may be given to organizations serving priority markets, see application for details; all eligible workforce development organizations are encouraged to apply.

Organizations selected to participate in the NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund receive support designed to help them deliver high‑quality, employer‑aligned training programs, including:

• Access to the NRF Foundation RISE Up training and credentialing program

• Capacity awards to support program implementation and delivery

• Tools and resources to help participants earn industry‑recognized credentials

Together, these resources help organizations expand their impact and better support job seekers on their path to employment and career growth.

The PepsiCo Foundation is the founding sponsor of the NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund. Its catalytic investment launched the initiative and enables the expansion of retail training and credentials to organizations serving job seekers nationwide.

The NRF Foundation Retail Training Fund is designed as a collaborative funding model. While the PepsiCo Foundation serves as the founding sponsor, the NRF Foundation invites additional partners to support and help scale the initiative.

Additional funding enables the program to:

• Reach more organizations and communities

• Expand access to training and credentials

• Strengthen the retail talent pipeline

Retail supports more than one in four U.S. jobs and continues to evolve alongside changes in technology, consumer behavior, and workforce expectations. Retail training provides job seekers with foundational employability skills — such as customer service, communication, and workplace readiness — that are valued across industries.

Organizations interested in supporting the Retail Training Fund are encouraged to connect with the NRF Foundation to learn more about partnership opportunities.