In addition to the appropriations made by the Mississippi Legislature for the operation and support of the laboratory, the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is authorized and empowered to receive contributions, donations, gifts and grants of money and/or property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations, the federal government or any subdivision thereof, the state government or any subdivision thereof, to be expended by the board in carrying out the purposes and objectives of this chapter.