Is it permissible to give Zakat on wealth to charitable organizations, given my desire to pay Zakat directly to the deserving, and how are the deserving identified, and what is the optimal method for distributing Zakat in terms of number and amount?

We have no knowledge of the condition of the institutions in question. It is preferable that you distribute the zakat directly to its deserving recipients and do not appoint another as an agent, because an agent cannot appoint another unless authorized by the principal.

There are eight categories for zakat distribution, and one must be meticulous in giving zakat to those who are deserving. There is no minimum amount to be given to each person from zakat, and it is permissible to give zakat to one or more of the categories of zakat distribution.