The way I see it, donations are pretty similar to investments (without the expectations of returns). In other words if you are serious about giving and want to

The way I see it, donations are pretty similar to investments (without the expectations of returns). In other words if you are serious about giving and want to approach it systematically to optimize effect, do the same thing as investment - first do your research, and then spread out your donations over a reasonably wide range of options, instead of lumping it all into one charity. If you're very serious, keep monitoring performance. Of course this is all easier said than done and is also an oversimplification