Something that we did this year that we haven't considered consciously in the past: paid attention to what proportion of our giving was local, what was national, and what was international. Just something to think about.

Along the lines of donation-as-gift and matching the charity to the person in whose name you're giving, I have to share this. My grandmother, a staunch Democrat, passed away last year after an amazingly full life. Her funeral notice asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Democratic National Committee. That had to p*ss off her Republican and Green friends - but it's entirely appropriate for a last wish I think