If the banks are offering sub 5%... I say bag it up! Give me all the 5% money you can stand. Hell, I'll pull up a semi and get serious. If interest is that low and you can do better than 5%, then I would pay off mortgage as slowly as possible and use excess cash as investment in rental property. No need to hurry paying off the loan if you can do better than 5%.

Don't ever give money to some random but popular and well known world "charity". IMHO you should help your family out - even extended family before you try giving money away. But if you must give away money, go local. People in your area are in need. Local shelters for battered women and food banks are a good place to start.