Reading through the mainstream press and non-profit sector literature, lists have become the fashion. Top 10 best or worst [you fill in the blank], most highly paid, most effective, most underrated….most….least….. Perhaps this is in part due to the culture of immediacy resulting from a twitter/social medial/internet giving culture. Perhaps we are just increasingly impatient, or dare I say lazy, as a sector. Either way, in most cases lists do not serve the interests of donors, organizations, or the beneficiaries of non-profit services. Please note that this blog is not intended as an attack on individuals or organizations generating lists, so specific examples are not cited. Rather, it questions the legitimacy and ethics of list-making. The overriding plea is to recognize and mitigate the lack of context lists involve. The overriding concern is unintended consequences. What will list readers conclude from an organization’s position on, or omission from, a list? What will be the effect of such conclusions, particularly if the “lister” has high credibility? Read more →