The council 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 objectives of the council’s programs; to enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with local and regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering the educational objectives of the council’s programs; to accept gifts, contributions and bequests of unrestricted funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering the educational objectives of the council’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 this chapter. The council may request from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its powers and duties hereunder.