Homelessness game a fundraising and awareness hit

Copywriter Jenny Nicholson thought a game to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness would help Urban Ministries tell its story. The result is SPENT, a game launched Feb. 8. In its first month it attracted more than 500,000 visitors who played the game more than 870,000 times, with the average visitor spending more than 10 minutes on the site.

The game, which has been played by visitors in more 155 countries, has generated nearly $11,000 in contributions from more than 500 donors, with the average donor giving roughly $20.