Donations on Giving Tuesday -- the annual fundraiser held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving -- exceeded expectations for both the University of California's Divsion of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the California FFA, the organizations have announced.

On Giving Tuesday 2019, donors gave $130,311 over 24 hours for UC Cooperative Extension, statewide programs and research and extension centers that make up the UCANR network.

At hte same time, contributions to FFA were enough to purchase 890 jackets for low-income students, or an equivalent of $66,750, the organization announced on Facebook.

The donations to UCANR will help the university extend the power of its research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, and youth development to more Californians in their own communities to improve their lives, officials said..

“The generosity of our donors will help us keep 4-H leadership-building activities affordable for California kids, and fund research into living with wildfire, farming in a changing climate, healthier foods, pest control for home and environment, and many other issues that concern Californians,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

“UC ANR researchers and educators are working in every county to bring practical, science-based answers to residents wherever they live in the state.”

Matching donations

Thanks to generous donors, volunteers, staff and board members who gave a total of $40,000 in matching funds, there was an incentive for donors across the state who wanted to double the impact of their gifts, the university reported.

“We set a goal of collecting a total of $125,000 for 4-H and UC ANR from more than 500 donors on Giving Tuesday,” said Emily Delk, UC ANR director of annual giving and donor stewardship. In all, UC ANR received 580 donations on Giving Tuesday.

Donations are still being accepted to boost UC ANR programs and research for a healthier California. To give, visit http://donate.ucanr.edu.

To learn more about how UC ANR is helping your community, visit https://ucanr.edu/About/Locations and follow @ucanr on social media.

The FFA far exceeded its goal of raising enough money for 750 jackets with ties or scarves, with each ensemble costing $75.

For the third year in a row, the organization partnered with Blue Diamond Growers to match donations on Giving Tuesday. That means for every $75 donated, Blue Diamond Growers provided a second FFA member with a jacket.