The Archewell Foundation, a charity founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, was considered “in good standing” by the state of California after previously being labeled as “delinquent” due to a past due payment. This change in status allows the foundation to resume raising money and operating in California. The foundation confirmed that all necessary payments had been made promptly and all paperwork had been filed without error. The exact timing of when the foundation was considered “current” with the state’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers was not specified by Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
Speculation arose over why the charity had seemingly failed to pay a $200 annual filing fee after a May 2023 expiration, which led to a notice of delinquency being issued to the foundation by Bonta’s office. A source close to Archewell explained that the initial payment check was lost in the mail, but it had been resubmitted and the issue was expected to be resolved soon. Despite the lack of clarification from the office or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex themselves, Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that it was a technical paperwork issue that was exaggerated in the media. The royal couple, who have been in Nigeria bringing attention to causes they support, had moved to California after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
CharityWatch, a watchdog group based in Chicago, does not rate the Archewell Foundation due to its recent founding and lack of sufficient financial activity. The foundation, named after the couple’s son Archie, is described as an “impact-driven nonprofit” with a core purpose of uplifting and uniting communities through compassionate acts. One notable aspect that sets the foundation apart is the small size of its governing body, consisting of only Harry and Meghan. The nonprofit sector typically advises a minimum of five voting board members, with a majority being independent to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the charity and provide adequate oversight.
According to experts, charities are intended to exist as legal entities independent from the individuals running them, serving the public interest. The foundation’s lack of a larger, independent board may raise concerns about its ability to consistently make decisions that benefit the charity. Despite these considerations, the Archewell Foundation has reported more than $13 million in total revenue and aims to make a positive impact locally and globally. Governor Newsom downplayed the foundation’s setback as a technical issue, emphasizing that it was resolved promptly. With the charity now back in compliance and able to operate in California, Prince Harry and Meghan continue their philanthropic efforts to support causes they are passionate about.
