The ISU Foundation is 21 months ahead of its fund-raising schedule to raise $300 million, so President Martin Jischke stepped up the efforts by announcing a new goal of $425 million last Friday.

The foundation, which is conducting its largest fund-raising campaign in the university’s history, is affiliated with the university and raises and manages funds and gifts that are invested in the university.

“We’re extremely pleased with the new goal,” Jischke said. “It’s a very ambitious goal but within our reach with hard work.”

Thomas Mitchell, president of the ISU Foundation, said the money raised goes to every college with additional funds going toward a “featured campaign portfolio.”

The featured campaign portfolio includes four primary featured projects that will be funded, including the Global Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (G-CARD). An $18 million initiative exists and $1 million is already committed to this project.

Reiman Gardens is another primary featured project.

“This project will exceed all of our expectations,” Mitchell said. “In two years, the garden will include a children’s garden, a conservatory, town and country garden and an arboretum that will extend south to Mortensen Road.”

ISU alumni Robert and Diane Greenlee already have donated $9 million to the new journalism school, another primary featured project, and the foundation will raise $9 million more to match the donation.

The College of Business also will be a project on the featured campaign portfolio.

“The College of Business … has tremendous momentum,” Mitchell said. “We want this college to make an impact on the state of Iowa because it produces many future business leaders.”

ISU Foundation also will raise funds for scholarships, honor programs, 4-H and extension programs.