Juliasb, There is a lot of discussion about those issues but for me, the bottom line is giving something that brings comfort to others.
Personally, I don't support larger charities with my quilting because I want to keep my efforts directed to those in my own community. To be clear, I define my community as anyone I have some connection to, whether directly or indirectly. I don't usually know the recipient personally, but someone I know knows them, or someone who knows them... lol.
I have also donated quilts for kids to our local children's hospital cancer units, where the quilts are given directly to a child.
I am also thinking about talking to our volunteer fire dept. to see if they would use some quilts for people during emergencies.
Mainly tho, I am kept busy making comfort quilts. Sadly there always seems to be a need, even in my small rural community. What happens to the quilts after I gift them is not something I think or worry about.