CFA Florence M. Rice and Public Policy Internships

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, more than 200 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization’s Board of Directors.

CFA offers the Florence M. Rice Internship for undergraduate students of color with an interest in consumer issues. This internship is named after the longtime leader of the Harlem Consumer Education Council.

CFA Public Policy internships are open to applicants who are pursuing a graduate or law degree and who possess a high level of oral and written communication skills.

For Summer 2026: CFA is seeking talented, motivated undergraduate and graduate interns with an interest in any of the following issue areas:

• Insurance

This intern will work closely with our Director of Insurance and Research and Advocacy Associate to advance pro-consumer insurance policy before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. They also will assist with research on key issues that contribute to advocacy efforts. The intern will play a hands-on role in standing up for consumers and combatting the abuses and misrepresentations by the insurance industry. The issues covered will include: 

• Auto insurance 

• Homeowners insurance 

• The use of socioeconomic factors, such as credit score, education, and occupation in auto and homeowners insurance pricing and underwriting 

• Telematics programs in auto insurance, the collection of consumers’ data, and the need for stronger protection of consumer data and privacy 

• Flood insurance 

• Combatting unfair discrimination and racism in insurance 

• Ensuring fair treatment of consumers by insurance companies, including stopping the unfair delay and denial of insurance claims 
 

• Development and Membership

Working closely with the Director of Development and CFA’s core team, the intern will assist with prospect research, grant preparation, and database management, while also supporting outreach to prospective members, maintaining member records, responding to member inquiries, and helping coordinate fundraising and member events. This role involves collaborating across teams to strengthen membership growth, partnerships, and the overall member experience, and offers hands-on exposure to nonprofit development and the breadth of CFA’s consumer advocacy work.

• Housing

The intern will work closely with the Housing Director to help conduct research, support advocacy work, and help write final products that support CFA's focus on expanding affordable and equitable homeownership. Topics will be timely based on national conversations, but may include issues such as curbing back institutional investors. Besides offering support work, the intern will have their own research project, which will culminate in a final CFA blog and presentation. Interns will be part of a broader community of CFA summer interns and have the opportunity to join the Housing Director and other staff at events across Washington DC. Through their work, they will gain critical insights into how to do impactful research and how federal policy advocacy works. CFA is looking for someone who is diligent, has previous research experiences, and is passionate about learning more about housing and consumer advocacy.

Interns will work with staff and advocates to advance pro-consumer policy before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. They also will assist with research on key issues that contribute to advocacy efforts.

Based at the Consumer Federation of America’s office in Washington, DC, the internship pays $18 per hour for undergraduates and $20 per hour for graduate students. Course credit can be given if the intern makes appropriate arrangements. Internships are full- or part-time. CFA offers a hybrid work model, with staff and interns (course schedule permitting) in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To apply for an internship, submit a cover letter and resume to Katie McCann at kmccann@consumerfed.org. In your cover letter, please indicate which internship you are applying for, the CFA issue area(s) of interest, and if you are available for a full- or part-time schedule.