I have an indirect answer that involves the IRS. I had been doing QCDs from my IRA via Fidelity Ira checks since they were first allowed. On my 2017 return I was audited for not reporting my RMD and asking for payment with penalties. I just sent them copies of all the IRA checks to charities that year (front and back) and they responded by canceling the assessment and penalties. Seems pretty clear that the IRA checks made out to the charities are fine.
