Reuven is planning a trip to Israel. Shimon, knowing this, gives Reuven money for tzedakah with the expectation that Reuven will distribute it when he gets to Israel. Reuven and Shimon both regularly support Israeli institutions.
Why do we do this? Is there some extra benefit to Reuven because he is participating in Shimon's mitzvah? Does Shimon benefit because Reuven might choose a recipient that Shimon hasn't previously supported? Is there particular value to cash donations (versus the checks Reuven and Shimon use for their other tzedakah)?
Answer
There is a concept from the Gemara (Pesachim 8a) known as שלוחי מצוה אינן ניזוקין - mitzva messengers are not harmed. When one is going on a trip that involves potential risks, some are of the custom is to give them a small amount of money to give to charity at their place of destination, so that they are effectively turned into "mitzva messengers" until they arrive, and thus they are accorded this extra heavenly protection.
This being the case, I don't see a difference between cash and checks, or Israel and other destinations. As long as a mitzva of some sort is being sent to the destination, the special protection should apply.
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