Who Can Submit?

All healthcare philanthropy professionals are welcome to contribute. You do not need to be an AHP member. Co-authored articles are encouraged.

What We're Looking For

• Original articles (1,000-3,000 words)
• Topics relevant to healthcare philanthropy, such as donor engagement strategies, case studies with measurable outcomes, and/or research or insights shaping the future of philanthropy
• We do not accept promotional content endorsing vendors or products. Contact businessdevelopment@ahp.org to learn more about sponsored content opportunities.

Submission Requirements

File Format: Submit your articles in Microsoft Word or Google Doc format. Charts and graphics should be submitted as high-resolution .png or .svg files.

Style: Forward Thinking uses AP style for writing and Chicago style for endnotes.

Use of AI: While we understand that AI tools can be helpful in the drafting process, Forward Thinking seeks original thought leadership authored by individuals. Submissions that are wholly or largely written by AI do not meet our criteria, as they do not reflect the authentic insights, experiences, and voice of the author.

The Review Process

Submissions are peer-reviewed on a rolling basis for relevance, storytelling, and quality.

How to Submit

• Prepare your article in Word or Google Doc format.
• Include high-resolution visuals, if applicable.
• Fill out our submission form with your contact information, and upload your file(s).

Writing Guidelines

To ensure your article resonates with our audience of healthcare philanthropy professionals, we look for submissions that move beyond theory and into the reality of the field. Consider the following guidelines when drafting your submission:

• Avoid summarizing outcomes (e.g., "The family gave a gift") . Instead, describe the specific, often difficult, human moments that led there. Ask yourself: does the article acknowledge the challenges, skepticism, or emotional weight of the work, or does it sound like a sanitized success story?
• For every high-level principle (e.g., "honor the donor's humanity"), provide one tool . This could be a specific discovery question, a stewardship experience you designed, or a script for talking to a skeptical physician. Ask yourself: if I stripped away the headers and the introduction, would a reader walk away with a tangible new technique?
• Connect your unique background to the advice you are giving. Ask yourself: could this article have been written by anyone with a search engine, or could it only have been written by someone with my specific career path?