Chicken Soup for the Soul: Three themes
They want non-fiction prose and poetry. They have detailed guidelines as well as several suggested topics for each theme. Three of their upcoming themes are:

-- Best Dog Ever... (stories submitted on this theme between July 2025 and November 21, 2025 are lost and they ask you to resubmit; some suggested themes are: When your dog is naughty; When your dog is remarkably well behaved; The crazy things you do for your dog; Did you ever "smuggle" your dog into a place you shouldn't have?; Does your dog steal food or things from you?; Does your dog talk back to you?; How my therapy dog has made a difference; Your work at a shelter or rescue organization; Holidays with your dog). 

-- Stories about using positive thinking (some suggested topics are: The unexpected benefits of challenges; Putting things in perspective; Lighten up and laugh!; What made you realize that your life is good and that you are grateful for it; Appreciating the simple pleasures; The mental benefits to a positive mindset; Pursuing your passion).

-- Random Acts of Kindness (some suggested topics are: How an act of kindness you received changed your life or changed you as a person; Performing an act of kindness for a family member; Performing an act of kindness for a total stranger; Paying it forward; The unexpected benefits of doing something kind for someone).

Chicken Soup pays $250 for works up to 1,200 words. The deadline for all three above themes is 31 March 2026. Details here and here (also see other tabs on this page, including FAQ). They have other themes listed too, with later deadlines.
 

Deadline: March 31st, 2026