The findings are the result of a survey by the Chronicle of Philanthropy of 164 charitable organizations nationwide. High-profile actions in recent years, such as the Tsunami relief campaign and Howard Dean's presidential fundraising practices, may have helped increase awareness of Internet donations and spur giving in that area.

While groups raised $166.2 million online in 2004 -- less than one percent of the total gathered by most major charities -- the gain on the previous year, said Chronicle editor Stacy Palmer, shows increased comfort with e-giving, and the promised of continued growth.

Nonprofits, which have been slow to fully embrace the internet as a fundraising tool, are becoming more adept as fully-integrated websites and tech tools prove their value in the field.