Following reports that educational causes were the favorite category of philanthropic giving by foundations last year, it appears private gifts are keeping in line with that trend: the University of California at Los Angeles' ambitious $1.2 billion fundraising campaign -- launched in 1997 -- has already reached its goal, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Because the "Campaign UCLA" effort was so successful -- with $800 million in hand and the remaining $400 million pledged -- school officials say they will continue the campaign and boost the goal by another $400 million, the Times reports.

The extra funds will go to innovative research programs in astronomy, biology, computer science and physics, the newspaper reports.

About half of the original campaign goal will go to medical causes, including rebuilding the UCLA medical center, which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Remaining funds will go into the university's endowment, other building projects, scholarships and research efforts.

The campaign is being touted as the most successful fundraising effort for a "public university campus," UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale told the newspaper.

Big gifts to "Campaign UCLA" include $45 million from Leslie and Susan Gonda (received early in the campaign), $30 million from Henry and Susan Samueli (part of a larger $50 million gift), $25 million from media mogul Michael Ovitz, $25 million from Mattel Inc., and $18 million from Glorya Kaufman.

School officials report that 37 people gave donations of $5 million, and 14 percent of alumni are now giving to UCLA on a regular basis.

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