Smith College announced Monday that its “Women for the World’’ campaign raised $486 million — the largest sum ever raised by a women’s college, according to school officials.

President Kathleen McCartney said in an e-mail to the school community that contributions “significantly surpassed’’ the $450 million goal.

“This campaign is truly a historic moment for Smith and for women,’’ McCartney said. “Smith is stronger thanks to the 37,000-plus donors who contributed to this effort to make the Smith experience the most powerful form of liberal arts education.’’

Smith’s fund-raising brought in more than the $472 million raised by a Wellesley College campaign in 2005, said Stacey Schmeidel, Smith’s director of media relations.

A large portion of the money will help expand the Northampton school’s curriculum and facilities, according to a statement.

The school’s “Reminaging the Liberal Arts’’ initiative will use $184 million on new professorships; new majors, including Middle East studies and statistical and data sciences; and new facilities, includingthe Jill Ker Conway Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.

Another $181 million will support annual operating costs and other initiatives, Schmeidel said. More than $100 million will go to financial aid, with most of that set aside for more than 100 new scholarships. About $10 million will go toward establishing new scholarships by matching donations of $250,000 or more.

“At its heart, this campaign was all about women — their education, their leadership, their history, and their future,’’ McCartney said.

“Smith is a stronger, better institution because of what we have accomplished, and the world is forever going to benefit from the leadership, creativity and entrepreneurship of the women we graduate.’’

Smith launched the campaign in October 2012.

Andrew Grant can be reached at andrew.grant@globe.com.