Giving money to good causes is never weak. It is an extraordinarily effective tool for those of us who want to help.
An effective legal advocacy or lobby group is a force multiplier - they're hands down the best "bang for your buck" in this situation.
By contrast, me spending a day working with inner city youth or building Habitat for Humanity is laudable or protesting in the streets is at best effective on a much smaller scale.
And secondly, this message is clearly aimed squarely at other well to do concerned citizens like him who are looking for ways to help.
He is effectively vetting these organizations as "acceptable by the CitiGroup C suite." As an example, I forwarded this to my parents who would never "get their hands dirty" but also are open to donating to good causes.
This will reach them in a way no celebrity tweet or protest sign possibly could.
There is a very reasonable argument that says this guy is using all the tools at his disposal. He has money, and he has influence. He is exercising both to make the world a better place. How can you possibly complain about that?
IMO donating to an organization seems weak. It's like outsourcing the problem to someone else, and thinking your helping them because you're giving them money. If you really want to help, get your hands dirty, and take matters into your own hands...