I can't think of any donation of gun research to any organization turned out well. It's amazing how free research that turns into $100 for a letter on one gun is something some people seem to think is OK. It is not OK. Michael was as confused as anyone on what to do with paper.
I've not found this myself. I've often had research done by Cody Museum and gotten great results. I've also used the Marlin Firearms Collectors Assn. and gotten great results.
And I've contacted various historical societies based on where a particular gun maker's business was located, or where a owner was located, and gotten great results.
In particular the Bay City Historical Society, and Michigan Historical Society, when I was researching my 1881 Marlin-Flues rifle. Also got directed to Flues' nephew and the Double Gun Journal via the Bay City Historical Society, so they were instrumental in assisting me.
And on another old rifle the original owner was from Oregon City, Or., and I contacted the Oregon City Historical Society, who offered up 2500 pages of provenance on the owner. And invited me to come out and copy whatever I wanted, since they are local to me.
In all these document searches, the cost was nothing, but I sent or gave donations regardless, because they were so helpful in my searches. So I've also not found any issue with any group helping me that did not accept donations? Can't ever recall ever hearing this before either?