Is charity the future for Christchurch?

ANALYSIS: It is the kind of plan where everybody seems to win.

Get businesses and the wealthy to pay some of Christchurch’s bills. In return, the donors receive the benefits of philanthropy – the spirit of giving, and for those who want it, the recognition and publicity.

The City Foundation launched at the The Piano yesterday, announcing a $2.5 million donation to the new central library.

The foundation, chaired by Christchurch businessman Humphry Rolleston, is a chance for businesses and the wealthy to basically subsidise the city, rather than rely on ratepayers (the council) or taxpayers (the Government).

Community foundations exist in other parts of the world, and now Christchurch has its own.

Since the 2011 earthquake there have been financial shortfalls for projects all over Christchurch, which neither the Christchurch City Council nor the Government

‘‘We needed a way to channel the generosity that came in the aftermath of the earthquake.’’

wanted to fill. This time, businesses have been offered the opportunity to fill the financial vacuum.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the foundation was set up for philanthropists wanting to help Christchurch, for which a charity did not yet exist. ‘‘We needed a way to channel the generosity that came in the aftermath of the earthquake.’’

Dalziel said the library build had already been worked out by council – this extra money will go towards the library fit-out, for things like computers and the other demands of a 21st century ‘‘knowledge centre’’.

The donations came from Spark, TSB Bank, Southbase and KMPG. Perception PR is handling the foundation’s marketing and Branniganssome of the consulting.

But it is not just grandiose projects like the ‘‘knowledge centre’’ that can benefit from the foundation – Rolleston said anyone could be a recipient of the foundation’s funds.

‘‘This foundation can, and will, raise funds through a wide range of giving programmes and will therefore support projects for the community, charities, causes and not-for-profits.’’

The council will be paying up to $600,000 over the next three years for the foundation’s basic ‘‘running costs’’, such as when it has to consult experts on how best to find and spend the money.

The council does not have to burden Christchurch denizens with more rates and the Government does not have to find more money.

But there is always a cost: With the gift givers deciding where the money goes, the council and Government will inevitably have to relinquish some of their power over the Christchurch rebuild.