Thanks for starting this, Zathras!
Probably the best single piece of advice I ever got on giving was to set up a separate checking account for it, then deduct a predetermined sum from your main account -- just like the electric bill, IRA contributions, etc. Money in that account is then spent for charitable purposes throughout the year. We find that it's a good discipline, and doing it is more important than the amount. (It also makes recordkeeping much easier when it's time to file taxes.)
We have a few charities that we support every month, others that we give to based on their fund drive schedule, and others where our giving is coordinated with an annual visit or other interactions. Still, there's usually a good-sized accumulation in the account that we disburse at the end of the year. That gets divided among letters kept in a basket until we're ready.
Since my parents and spouse have spent a good chunk of their work lives in non-profits, we tend to give general or unrestricted funds. Designated funds -- for a stained glass window, specific project, etc. are mainly for the benefit of the donor, not the organization or the people who benefit from the charity. Most people find it more emotionally satisfying to give to a specific purpose, but the fact remains that most organizations have the unglamorous obligations of maintenance, utilities, payroll, etc. and those are often hard to raise money for.
Oh, and with food banks getting a lot of much-needed attention this year, keep in mind that the best thing to give a food bank is actually cash, not canned goods. "Giving groceries" is another one of those things that is more for the donor than the cause. The director of a group of food banks here said that thanks to matching, at-cost, low-cost, and "transport cost only" agreements they have with vendors, they can squeeze about $5 in retail food value out of $1 of a cash donations.
