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.

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?

$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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Associated Press:  The government-backed clinic where Richard Taylor seeks free legal help uses furniture worthy of a second-hand store. The carpets are worn. And the walls lack the standard glut of law books and journals that usually adorn law firm libraries.