Private Foundations
One method of giving is to create a private foundation. The foundation, which will be a non-profit organization, will allow you to give your money to deserving organizations or activities while still retaining control of who will receive the gifts and how the gifts will be given.
There are many famous foundations. Probably the most famous recent foundation was set up by Bill and Melissa Gates. But you do not have to be the richest couple in the world to start a foundation.
A foundation is usually created to provide a source of on-going giving. Although it is not inexpensive to set up a foundation, once it is in place it will have no more day-to-day expenses than you want it to have. Typically there is a board who decides how to invest the money and also how to give the money.