George W. Bush raises $500 million for library

Former President George W. Bush has raised more than half a billion dollars to fund his presidential library, faster than any of his predecessors.

The George W. Bush Center confirmed the 43rd president had gathered more than $500 million for the George W. Bush Presidential Center, with its library, museum and institute.

"It was our goal to raise $500 million by the time the George W. Bush Presidential Center was decidated, and we reached that goal," center president Mark Langdale told TIME.

The library dedication is set for April 25 in Dallas, and all five living presidents and their spouses are expected to attend.

Langdale said half of the funds went to the construction of the Bush center, and smaller portions went to a mandatory endowment to the federal government and another endowment to Southern Methodist University.

The rest, Langdale said, will come from long-term pledges to provide financial support for the Bush Institute.