News Briefing: Charity begins at the ATM: UK seeks more donations

People will be asked to give to charity every time they use a cash dispenser or pay with a bank card under government plans to increase philanthropy in Britain. [The Washington Post]

Charities Optimistic After Year of Lackluster Giving [NPR]

onPhilanthropy's Latest List of Orgs in Haiti

We've updated our list of organizations who have long been working on the ground in Haiti. We encourage our readers to visit the NGO's websites to learn how they are coordinating their existing programs with the urgent efforts to save lives and rebuild ravaged communities' access to healthcare, shelter, education and development opportunities.

• Action Against Hunger
• American Red Cross
• American Jewish World Service
• AmeriCares
• Beyond Borders
• CARE
• Catholic Relief Services
• CBM-US
• Childcare Worldwide
• Concern International US
• Direct Relief International
• Doctors Without Borders
• Feed My Starving Children
• Friends of WFP
• Haitian Health Foundation
• Hope for Haiti
• International Medical Corps
• International Relief Teams
• Medical Teams International
• Meds and Food for Kids
• Mercy Corps
• Operation USA
• Oxfam
• Partners in Health
• PLAN 
• Samaritan's Purse
• Save the Children
• SOS
• UNICEF
• World Concern
• World Vision
• Yele Haiti
  Wyclef Jean's grassroots org
  Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cellphone

For those interested in helping immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.

Muslims wary about Ramadan charity

Detroit Free Press: Ajaz Khan doesn't consider himself a cynical person, but he finds it hard not to be -- especially when deciding where to give."Give in the name of Islam? No," Khan, 54, of Rochester Hills said, referring to a common pitch from Muslim-run nonprofits asking people to donate because they share a faith. "If I don't know about you, why should I give it to you?" With federal officials raiding Southfield-based Life for Relief and Development last week, the faithful are facing difficult questions during Ramadan, the holiday period that began this weekend and lasts for a month.

Charities in Forefront of Drive to Save Pluto

Where Most Needed: A pair of scientists employed by nonprofit research institutes used an Internet petition drive and plan an alternative conference as part of a grassroots campaign to restore Pluto's planetary cred.  Could Pluto be the next Snakes on a Plane?

Make Drinks Not War

$avvy Giver: To encourage "diplomatic relations", the World Bar, which enjoys the distinction of being the closest watering-hole to the United Nations, has created a conversation starter: The World Peace Cocktail.

Cynics Mock, Charities Defend Stars Aiding Africa

Reuters:  Madonna feels responsible for the children of the world and has found herself a "big, big project" to help orphans in Malawi.  Gwyneth Paltrow declares "I am African" in a new advertisement for a charity working in Africa.

Painting of Jesus Is Stolen From School, but Legal Fight Goes On

New York Times:  A legal battle over a painting of Jesus hanging in a high school here is continuing, even though the painting was stolen last week.  Two civil liberties groups, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, filed suit in June to remove the painting, “Head of Christ,” saying it sent the message that the public school endorsed Christianity as its official religion.

New Tax Rules for Charitable Deductions

Associated Press:  Donating an old toaster or television to a local charity won't count as a tax deduction if it's not in good condition.  And those used undies and socks?

Do You Recognize This Revenue?

Nonprofit Eye: Why is the subject of Revenue Recognition suddenly so important? File it under “Blame it on Enron”. When this infamous company decided to recognize revenue based on their projection of future sales (NOT completed sales), they opened the door to a previously unimaginable new school of what I would call “Fictional Accounting”. The guys who came up with this scam were known as "The Smartest Guys in the Room". Were they? The answer is yes (and no) and yes.

Charity Funds Said to Provide Clues to Alleged Terrorist Plot

Washington Post:  The transfer of millions of dollars from Britain to a Pakistani charity working on earthquake relief last year helped investigators uncover the alleged plot to blow up airplanes bound for the United States, according to two senior Pakistani intelligence officials.