[Brad from Tennessee]

This is a good way to fund the commission:

[The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission is a closely affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to raise private philanthropic dollars to support the programs, projects, and activities of the Texas Historical Commission (THC).]

http://www.thc.state.tx.us/friends/fretrustees.shtml

[TXnMA]

Good thought — but, IIUC, using 501(c)(3) funds in an agency’s operating budget is prohibited by State regulations. We would like to change that — to do exactly what you propose.