Call for Papers
Objective The mission of Nonprofit Policy Forum (NPF) is to serve as an international journal that publishes original research and analysis on public policy issues and the public policy process critical to the work of nonprofit organizations. NPF provides a forum and an authoritative and accessible source of information for scholars, leaders, and policy-makers worldwide. A primary goal of NPF is to provide nonprofit leaders and policy-makers with readily accessible and relevant scholarly research. In addition to being an accessible source of information, NPF creates a publishing venue for the expanding population of nonprofit-public policy scholars. Because the field of nonprofit studies is interdisciplinary in nature, the range of disciplines for both authors and readers spans a wide array of interests. Major topics addressed in the journal include: 1) various dimensions of the government/nonprofit relationship comprising but not limited to: government funding of nonprofit service delivery, government regulation of the nonprofit sector, and nonprofit advocacy activities aimed at influencing government policy;
2) issues related to blurring sector boundaries such as: hybrid organizational forms, social enterprises, and social investment;
3) transnational non-governmental organizations and cross-national NGO/nonprofit issues; and
4) developments in particular policy fields (e.g., health, human services, arts) and their effects on nonprofits.
Article formats
Each issue of NPF offers five research-based articles and a special feature, alternating among research notes and policy briefs, book reviews, interviews, case studies, and commentaries.
Research Articles (peer review, 5,000-8,000 words): Full, theoretical/conceptual and empirical research articles addressing: the effect of government policies and tools on nonprofits; nonprofit advocacy activities and their effect on policy; civil society and social movements seeking social change; other significant aspects of the government/nonprofit relationship; development and institutional contexts of social enterprise.
Research Notes (peer review, 3,000-4,000 words): Research Notes are research-based, short articles presenting policy-relevant findings or suggesting novel policy approaches with a focus on informing academic debate on the topic. They may be more descriptive than analytical, or present novel ideas or concepts with limited data.
Policy Briefs (peer review, 3,000-4,000 words): Policy Briefs present research-informed discussions of current policies and policy proposals with a focus on informing policy makers. They introduce a policy topic, provide an overview of relevant research, and either advocate for a position or lay out policy options with a recommendation.
Commentaries (editorial review, 2,000-3,000 words): Research-informed, opinion-based discussion of contemporary policy developments, current debates in the field, or proposals for policy reform.
Case studies (peer review, 2,000-4,000 words): Teaching cases or analytical case studies.
Interviews (editorial review, 2,000-4,000 words): Interviews with leaders in the field reflecting on important nonprofit policy issues.
Book reviews (editorial review, 2.000-3.000 words): Reviews of recently published books focused on nonprofits and public policy.
Information on Submission Process
Nonprofit Policy Forum is pleased to acknowledge support from the following sponsors which allows the journal to be open access.
Sponsors
The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is the U.S.-based, national and international association that connects scholars, teachers, and practice leaders interested in research on nonprofit organizations, voluntary action, philanthropy and civil society. Founded in 1971 as the Association of Voluntary Action Scholars, ARNOVA is a neutral, open forum committed to strengthening the research about and helping shape better practice in these realms. The association brings together both theoretical and applied interests, helping scholars gain insight into the day-to-day concerns of third-sector organizations, while providing nonprofit professionals with connections to research they can use to improve the work of their organizations and the quality of life for citizens and communities. Principal activities include an annual conference, publications, electronic discussions and special interest groups. ARNOVA sponsors an annual issue of policy briefs in Nonprofit Policy Forum.
The Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota ranks among the country’s top 10 professional public policy and planning schools and is long noted for equipping students to play key roles in public life at the local, state, national, and global levels. Its Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center creates and nurtures excellence in public affairs management and leadership through research, teaching, professional development, and outreach, and is a vital resource for community partners.
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University is a top ten school of social work that celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2016. The school’s mission is advancing leadership in social work and nonprofit education, scholarship, and service to build a more just world. The school has been engaged in nonprofit management education for more than 30 years and currently offers a Masters of Nonprofit Organizations degree as well as a certificate program.
Established in 2012, Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is the world’s first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy. In fact, Indiana University has been at the vanguard of philanthropy education since the Center on Philanthropy was founded at IUPUI in 1987. Led by the center, IU established the field of philanthropic studies; initiated the nation’s first bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in the field; and created the nation’s first endowed chair in philanthropy. Today, the Lilly Family School is home to The Fund Raising School, the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.
George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government prepares undergraduate and graduate students to be leaders and managers who solve problems and advance the public good in all sectors and levels of government - in the United States and throughout the world. Located where policy happens, students are connected to jobs, internships, networking, and experiences that can only be found in the Washington, D.C., area. The Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise seeks to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and social enterprise through research, training, public education, and other initiatives that engage those who care about these important institutions and activities.
The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector.
Benefits of Sponsorship
Your benefits
- Prominent members of the editorial board
- International outreach of the journal
- Original research and analyses on public policy
- Interdisciplinary methodology
- Versatile forum for research communication
- Accepted into the Emerging Sciences Citation Index (ESCI) and searchable in the Web of Science Core Collection
Institutions or individuals interested in becoming sponsors of NPF should contact the editors at npf@gmu.edu
