Power
You have the ability to say "yea" or "nay" to any potential addition to your institution's collection (woot?). You have a great deal of control over shaping the exhibition that is ultimately put on display, and you can revel in the oohs and aahs of the patrons of your museum or zoo. Also, if you have a rare jewel on display, you'd probably have a better opportunity than anyone to steal it. Now that's power, baby.
But the basic idea here is that you have almost no power or money, and if you happen to look cross-eyed at the wife of the largest benefactor to the museum and she decides she doesn't like you, you're toast. And there's not much you can do about it.