The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to hold public and private hearings, to enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with individuals, organizations and institutions for services furthering the educational and cultural objectives of the commission’s programs; to enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with local and regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering the educational and cultural objectives of the commission’s programs; to accept gifts, contributions, and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations or institutions, for the purpose of furthering the educational and cultural objectives of the commission’s programs; to make and sign any agreements and to do and perform any acts that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the act.