Smithsonian Institution Goes to Court Seeking to Modify Donor Restrictions | Planned Giving Design Center

Smithsonian Institution Goes to Court Seeking to Modify Donor Restrictions | Planned Giving Design Center: Nearly fifty years ago, entomologist and Smithsonian researcher Dr. Carl Drake left the Smithsonian Institution his collection of insects subject to certain restrictions. In addition, he created an endowment at the Smithsonian with $250,000 (worth about $4,000,000 today) for the Smithsonian to add insects to his collection. Today, the Smithsonian asserts that the restrictions imposed by Dr. Drake on his collection and endowment are no longer feasible and has filed a court petition seeking to use the collection and endowment in a manner different from that prescribed by Dr. Drake.