Harvard’s capital campaign priorities include innovations in teaching and learning, advancing a more globally viable Harvard, campus development, and attracting talent through a combination of student financial aid and faculty support.

“The big idea in this campaign is that higher education is changing rapidly, and we want to use the campaign to propel Harvard into the opportunities of the twenty-first century,” Faust said. “It’s a series of ideas that really embody the notion of ‘how do we lead change? How do we sustain Harvard’s commitment in leadership in a very changed environment?”

The University’s last fundraising drive was led by President Neil L. Rudenstine, who raised $2.6 billion between 1994 to 1999. Like many higher education fund drives, especially those at elite institutions, Rudenstine exceeded his original goal, which was $2.1 billion.

Similarly, Stanford far exceeded its original goal of $4.3 billion and raised the largest amount ever by an institution of higher learning during a single capital campaign. “The Stanford Challenge” concluded with a total sum of $6.23 billion at the end of 2011.

Of Harvard’s $6.5 billion goal, Faust said, “It was an appropriate goal to set, and we’ll see how we do.”

—Staff writer Matthew Q. Clarida can be reached at matthew.clarida@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattclarida.

—Staff writer Amna H. Hashmi can be reached at amnahashmi@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @amna_hashmi.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: March 12, 2014

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the day on which University President Drew. G. Faust said that Harvard had raised $3.7 billion. In fact, Crimson reporters met with Faust on Tuesday.