“Give to the Max Day”-which raised more than $24 million for more than 3,600 nonprofits in its first two years-is returning to Minnesota for the third time on Wednesday.

Organized by GiveMN.org, the event challenges Minnesotans to raise as much money as possible for nonprofits over a 24-hour period.

First-of-its-kind Web site GiveMN, run by Executive Director Dana Nelson, launched November 2, 2009. It provides donors with information about organizations that match their philanthropic goals and allows them to make online donations to any U.S. nonprofit by credit card.

Last year, 42,596 donors collectively contributed more than $10 million to 3,663 nonprofits across the state on “Give to the Max Day.”

New this year are various “Give to the Max Day” events at the Mall of America. They include:

¥ Giving stations: Mall visitors can donate using laptops in a special “GiveNGo” area; those who donate will receive a sticker that will provide discounts at stores and restaurants throughout the mega mall, and shoppers who present a copy of their GiveMN.org receipt will also get price reductions.

Musical entertainment: Musicians Tim Mahoney and Mint Condition will perform at 6 p.m.

The “UpTake Web-a-thon”: Nonprofit leaders will be interviewed throughout the day, and the interviews will be live-streamed on GiveMN.org.

GiveMN has also revealed a new prize structure for this year's event. Three tiers of prize grants will be awarded: The 10 nonprofits that receive the most dollars, the 10 small nonprofits that receive the most dollars, and the three Minnesota colleges or universities that receive the most dollars will be given a grant of $5,000 to $15,000.

Twenty-four “golden tickets”-which are $1,000 prize grants-also will be distributed randomly each hour to a nonprofit that has received donations, and one $10,000 “grand golden ticket” will be randomly awarded to a nonprofit at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Give to the Max Day” goes from midnight to midnight on Wednesday.