Helping UC Riverside students affected by the coronavirus will be the focus of a special Giving Tuesday campaign on May 5.

Normally held on the first Tuesday after Black Friday as an international annual day of giving, the global nonprofit behind the campaign organized the upcoming fundraiser as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At UCR, a crowdfunding campaign to support the health and well-being of students called Highlanders Helping Highlanders was launched March 16. It’s raised more than $30,000 from 165 donors to date.

“Our priority and our goal is to help graduate and undergraduate UCR students navigate through this uncertain time, and provide the necessary resources they need to continue to succeed,” said Crystal Sankey, UCR’s director of annual giving.

Donors can choose from a dozen funds aiding students in a variety of ways, helping with needs such as housing, health care, nutrition, access to technology, transportation, counseling, and mental health services. Learn more about the funds here.

Due to the campus closure, Annual Giving will focus its efforts leading up to May 5 on digital marketing, promoting the campaign through campus newsletters, emails, and phone calls.