To clarify some of the questions...

When raised/flagged with the front desk agent, he "removed" the charge..which, it turned out, was really placing a $1 credit for "Charitable Contribution" on the folio. So I now have original folio (with $1 charge) and corrected/final folio (with both $1 charge and $1 credit). Lucky me - the folio still says "CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION" as line-items on it...which will no doubt make my corporate accounting folks happy (note..this is sarcasm).

I have stayed multiple times at many properties in NYC over the years - for work and pleasure - including pre- and post- Starwood/Marriott merger (both SPG and Marriott locations). I have never encountered this before. Note this was my first time at this specific property, too, and this property was not a Starwood legacy property. (Re: UNICEF charge)

If relevant data point, I am Marriott Titanium and had booked through a corporate travel portal.

I have a note to the GM to ask for clarification about why all guests were automatically "opted in" (without any notice - in writing, in the booking/reservation details, in a pre-arrival email, with signage in the lobby, during check-in, etc) to a "charitable contribution." Depending on how that is responded to, I will name the property.