Kagehitokiri, the trouble is that many of those donation programs convert the points/ miles to cash for the charities at a very poor exchange rate! The member donates enough to get a $100--200 airline ticket or hotel room(s) while the charity gets a measly $25 cash!
I'm suggesting booking hotel rooms with our points for persons in need, or programs where the points are transferred fee-free into a charity's big points account, from which their volunteers/ employees book rooms or flights at normal (or negotiated discounted) points rates. The present Fisher House programs are one example.
Also, I bet many FTers have a few myriads of orphan Wyndham or Choice points but are not keen on getting a 2-night stay at Ramada or Comfort Inn for themselves.