3,189. Pledging Is a Vow

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 7:15

If someone bequeaths a sum of money or a sefer Torah to “a shul” (i.e., not specifying which one), we give it to the shul that he usually attends. If he attended two shuls, the money is divided between them. If he bequeaths a sum of money to the needy, we give it to the needy of his city.

Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 8:1

Pledging charity is a form of vow. Therefore, if someone commits to donate a denomination to charity, he must give it immediately; one who delays violates the prohibition against delaying the fulfillment of a vow because he has the ability to pay it immediately and there are always potential recipients available. If there are no potential recipients available, he should put the money aside until he finds potential recipients. If he stipulated that he need not give the donation until he encounters a needy recipient, he need not put the money aside in advance. Similarly, if one made a condition at the time of his vow or pledge that the charity administrators might exchange his donation for gold, they may do so.