Hah! I wish I did know that initial donor, I'll work on that... And that's awesome. I love hearing it. There's a famous movie line here in the states..."If you build it, he will come." I believe that the existence of an endowment could help secure its funding, and it also provides a convenient "consumer choice" option (I wouldn't worry too much about cannibalization between the two).
Tinnitus Quest, in my opinion, is what everyone has been waiting for. It has demonstrated accountability, transparency, and a clear vision and mechanism for advancing tinnitus research. You never know when someone out there catches wind of it and wants to leave a lasting legacy that will endure and see this mission through. The future is hopeful.