Submit a Proposal for Advancing Philanthropy magazine and the AP Perspectives blog

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Do you have fundraising knowledge that you’d like to share? Are you a subject matter expert on donor advised funds, capital campaigns or any other fundraising topic? If so, consider sharing your knowledge, skills and best practices in Advancing Philanthropy (AP), AFP’s quarterly fundraising magazine. The magazine features some of the industry’s most dynamic, creative and innovative thought leaders who have a wealth of knowledge on how to advance the profession. They are leaders who are making a mark in what AFP calls the IMPACT profession. If you have a distinctive point of view and ideas about fundraising, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, consider writing an article for AP magazine or joining the AP Perspectives writing team. This volunteer opportunity will not only serve fundraisers in your specific industry, but also the profession as a whole. 

Guidelines for submitting a proposal

1. Eligibility:

• AP magazine welcomes article pitches/proposals from AFP members and nonmembers.
• AP magazine encourages both new and experienced contributors, including those who can provide diverse perspectives.
• AFP welcomes pitches/proposals from global contributors to highlight the innovative and impactful work occurring in fundraising and philanthropy around the world.

2. All contributors must provide a 75-word biography with the proposal. For proposals with more than one contributor, a lead should be identified as the primary contact.

3. Contributors agree that their article is a contribution to the profession, and may be used on other AFP platforms, with no monetary benefit or revenue share accruing to the contributor(s).

4. Contributors agree not to explicitly promote their organization, products or services as part of their articles. Articles must be of an educational nature only. Book authors may use and reference their own books, but they may not actively promote sales.

5. AFP reserves the right to edit content titles, descriptions, biographies of contributors, and other information for clarity and brevity.

Proposal review process

Article pitches/proposals will be reviewed and selected by the editor of AP magazine. The following criteria are taken into consideration:

• Relevance to fundraising, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, as applicable.
• Contribution and “fit” with AFP’s overall suite of content in terms of topic/category, learning level, etc.
• Evidence of innovative thinking and fresh insights.
• Research-based content (where appropriate or relevant).
• Demonstrated knowledge and overall expertise of contributor.
• Contributor’s previous editorial work, such as articles, blogs, and other written material.
• Diversity of contributor’s background, experiences, perspective and ideas.

The editor accepts and reviews article pitches/proposals on an ongoing basis. The editor will notify contributors by email if their content proposal has been accepted and will discuss a mutually agreeable schedule for final submission. The editor will determine the appropriate word count for the article after reviewing the proposal, but articles are generally between 1,000-1,500 words. Final drafts are due at least two and a half months before the issue comes out. All articles will be edited for grammar, style and tone.

AP publishing schedule

• Winter Issue (early January)
• Spring Issue (early April)
• Summer Issue (early July) 
• Fall Issue (early October) 

AP Perspectives

The Advancing Philanthropy blog, AP Perspectives, is another opportunity for members to share their stories. These shorter articles, that cover everything from personal reflections to effective fundraising strategies, are published throughout the year on an ongoing basis. If you’re interested in joining this Advancing Philanthropy Writers Corp, email the magazine editor for more information.

Content topics include, but are not limited to:

• Current and Prospective Donor Research: donor acquisition, donor retention, donor giving Patterns, data analysis techniques, data gathering techniques, and data management system)
• Securing the Gift: direct mail, case statement, gift agreements, proposal writings, special events, social media, sponsorships, annual giving, capital campaigns, bequests, and major gifts
• Relationship Building: cultivation and stewardship, communications, incentives, culture of philanthropy, and external spheres of influence
• Volunteer Involvement: recruitment, governance principles and models, skills training, value of diversity and community representation, board/staff roles in governance and management, and organizational culture
• Leadership and Management: strategic planning, fundraising plan, financial management, marketing and public relations principles, human resource management, and effective leadership
• Ethics, Accountability and Professionalism: accountability and ethics, advocacy and public policy, accounting and investment principles, transparency, and continuing professional development opportunities
• IDEA: inclusion, diversity, equity and access, gender equality, accommodation of beliefs and disabilities, acceptance of cultural differences, and similar topics

Benefits of writing for Advancing Philanthropy and AP Perspectives

• Hone your writing skills
• Give back to your industry
• Provide fellow fundraisers with the knowledge needed to become better in their careers, and help them build their understanding of best practices, skills and techniques

To submit a pitch/proposal, contact AFP's Marketing and Communications Team at AFPMarCom@afpglobal.org.