Property Owners Who Care (POWC) was started in 2006 as a community advocacy organization, and organized under IRS Code 501 (c) 4 as a "social welfare organization," the same type of non-profit as a Chamber of Commerce. As a community advocacy organization POWC publicly supported or recommended particular causes or policies. As POWC has told its members and the greater South Padre Island community, the mission has changed.
POWC is no longer doing community advocacy
After a detailed series of interviews with community leaders and POWC members, the Board of POWC learned that our value to the community is, and always has been, information. Based on that clear feedback, POWC has changed its mission from community advocacy to publishing Island Matters, the island's non-profit newspaper.
The non-profit news industry is almost exclusively 501 (c) 3 "charitable organizations," much like the Island's Sea Turtle, Inc. and the SPI Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary. To fulfill its mission in the non-profit news space, Property Owners Who Care is changing its name and corporate structure. The words Property Owners Who Care will be dropped because its readers don't need to be island property owners to care about the island.
Island Matters, a facts only source of news for the Island
POWC wants everyone who cares about our island, especially accountability on our island, to be a reader. POWC will be the landlord and publisher of Island Matters. Island Matters will be what SPI residents and non-residents alike will see every week. As with any news organization, but especially with a non-profit news organization, there is a clear firewall between the organization's publishing (fundraising) side and the editorial side. Island Matters will continue to be a facts-only source of accountability in local government with all editorial decisions made by island residents.
As a 501 (c) 3 organization, Island Matters will be able to join national news associations. This will give our staff more resources and opportunities for training. Island Matters will also become eligible for grants and to host journalism interns for academic credit. For its members, their annual memberships will become tax-deductible contributions.
There will not be many obvious changes from the outside, but POWC and Island Matters want to be transparent from a business point of view, as well.
Sign change:
Many residents and visitors have asked, "What's with the new sign?" Since POWC has a new mission, it also has a new logo. The new logo removes the words but retains "the wave" on both the front and south side of the building.
Name change:
POWC is no longer just for property owners. Island Matters is for everyone who cares about SPI and especially accountability in government on SPI. Island Matters is what you will see. POWC is moving 100% into a support role.
Organizational change:
Like the SPI Chamber of Commerce, POWC has always been a 501c (4) non-profit organization. As a non-profit newspaper, transitioning to a 501c (3) like Sea Turtle Inc. or the Birding Center reflects industry best practices.
Why are we doing this?
Membership in POWC will become a tax-deductible charitable donation. 501c (3) status will allow Island Matters to thrive by joining multiple news organizations with opportunities for student internships, news resources, staff training, and grant applications. POWC membership includes a subscription to Island Matters, which will provide you with regular fact-based information about South Padre Island.