With giving levels on a slow climb, e-mail has emerged as a surprisingly effective fundraising tool.

By Paul Barbagallo

“Up until now, Bowl for Kids’ Sake has been our only real online effort,” confirms Debbie Everitt, director of development projects. “Our agencies, as well as our donors, are becoming technically savvy, and that’s going to continue to play a role in our online initiatives going forward.”

The amount raised online for the nationwide Bowl for Kids’ Sake events increased by 1,026 percent, from $33,971 in 2002 to $382,588 in 2003. The number of e-mails sent by participants to friends and family increased by 1,100 percent, from 5,392 e-mails sent in 2002 to 64,682 sent in 2003.