PROVIDENCE — The Corporation of Brown University on Friday celebrated the launch of an effort to raise an additional $100 million for financial aid, bringing the campaign’s new goal to $400 million, by December 31, 2010.

“Providing dependable financial support for students with financial need is at the core of this university’s mission,” said Chancellor Thomas J. Tisch. “Brown has increased its financial-aid commitment to its students and their families. Raising our sights to $400 million, particularly during uncertain economic times, underscores our focus on that commitment.”

Richard Barker, a 1957 Brown alumnus and parent of two Brown graduates, is spearheading the initiative.

Since 2001, Brown has more than doubled its financial aid budget, to $70 million for the current academic year. More than 40 percent of Brown undergraduate students receive financial aid from the university.

“Enhancing the university’s resources for support of all students — including its programs for undergraduate financial aid — has been one of the university’s highest priorities since the corporation formally adopted the Plan for Academic Enrichment in February 2004,” according to a statement the corporation released yesterday.

At its meeting yesterday, the corporation formally accepted 12 gifts totaling more than $20 million from foundations, Brown parents and Brown alumni. The gifts will support: $7 million for the Creative Arts Building; $3.7 million for the Nelson Fitness Center; $3.25 million for undergraduate scholarships; $3 million for graduate fellowships in the humanities; $1.78 million for international advanced-research institutes; $1.1 million for athletics; and $60,000 for the Brown Annual Fund.