Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have faced a temporary setback with their philanthropic venture, the Archewell Foundation, as it was marked as ‘delinquent’ by the California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.
Issued on May 3 by California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, the notice reveals that the foundation fell out of compliance due to oversight in submitting annual reports and renewal fees.
As per the documents, the delinquency notice stipulates that the organization is barred from soliciting or distributing funds until the matter is rectified.
The notice outlines, “An organization that is listed as delinquent is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds.”
The notice also outlined potential penalties, including the possibility of suspension or revocation of registration, pending the submission of the necessary documents and fees. However, the issue appears to be a result of a simple miscommunication or administrative error rather than any mismanagement by the foundation itself.
As reported by The New York Post, the Archewell Foundation did submit the required filings on time, but the accompanying payment check was reportedly not received by the Registry. Upon receiving the delinquency notice, the foundation promptly sent a new check, expecting the matter to be resolved and updated in the records within the next seven business days.
Established by Harry and Meghan after stepping back from their senior royal roles in 2020, the Archewell Foundation has been actively engaged in numerous charitable endeavors both locally and globally.
Their mission, as stated on their website, is to “uplift and unite communities — one act of compassion at a time.” The foundation emphasizes compassion as a key driver for the 21st century, supporting systemic cultural change through partnerships and direct action.
In recent developments, during their journey to Nigeria spanning from May 10 to May 12, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed the extension of the Archewell Foundation’s collaboration with the GEANCO Foundation.
This expansion encompasses mental health resources and training for young individuals. Their visit represented their inaugural international tour post their royal departure, underscoring their ongoing dedication to philanthropic pursuits.
Moreover, while visiting the Ilupeju Senior Grammar School in Lagos alongside Giants of Africa, another initiative supported by Archewell gained significant attention.
Through the foundation’s efforts, the youth-centric sports charity has broadened its initiatives to incorporate a new adaptive court and accessible sports opportunities in Abuja.
“Our mission is simple: show up, do good,” states the Archewell Foundation’s website. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to use their platform to foster unity and service, despite the temporary administrative setback.
