Can zakaat be given to an orphan shelter centre?

The fundamental requirement in the discharging of zakaat is the aspect of tamleek. Tamleek means to transfer ownership of the wealth to someone who is eligible for zakaat. Hence, if the wealth is not given to a recipient of zakaat, the zakaat will not be discharged. As far as giving the zakaat to an orphanage is concerned, then if the zakaat money is given to those orphans who are eligible to accept the zakaat (provided they have reached the age of understanding), then the zakaat will be discharged. Alternatively, the zakaat money can be given to their guardians to spend it on them.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.