UC Riverside is expanding ways to support a variety of causes on campus for Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3.

The event is part of the annual International Day of Giving, held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day.

UC Riverside held its first campuswide Giving Tuesday last year with 1,296 donors contributing $189,560. The campus hopes to beat that record this year by encouraging more alumni, students, faculty, and staff members to participate.

“The overwhelming support during our first day of giving came as a pleasant surprise, highlighting the excitement our Highlanders have for making a difference,” said Crystal Sankey, UCR’s director of annual giving.

Donors can choose from 35 different programs, scholarships, and initiatives to support this year during the 24-hour window that begins at midnight, Dec. 3. The campaigns represent a spectrum of campus groups.

“That’s what it’s really about, our community coming together, raising support for causes they believe in and making an impact at UCR,” said Marianne Paek, associate director of annual giving.

As part of the effort to spur more donations for the campaigns, there are 13 challenges in which donors have agreed to match or providing additional funds if the challenge criteria is met.

For instance, the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees Challenge will provide bonus money to the three campaigns with the most donors on Dec. 3. In another challenge, the first student to find a Scotty the Bear stuffed animal on campus can designate $800 to a fund of his or her choice.

Each campaign will be listed starting Nov. 29 on dayofgiving.ucr.edu, where donors can choose how to donate.

The page will be active a few days earlier, starting Nov. 29. Gifts will also be accepted at the Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside, where UCR will host its Beyond Brilliant campaign.