Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell organization has confirmed that staff redundancies are underway as it transitions to a new “fiscal sponsor operating model.” A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stated that job cuts, particularly in junior administrative roles, are an “inevitable” consequence of this significant restructure, directly addressing and refuting earlier media reports suggesting the charity was closing down entirely. This strategic shift marks a pivotal moment for the couple’s philanthropic endeavors.

The confirmation, issued on Monday, clarified the nature of the organizational changes following reports in The Daily Mail. While acknowledging the difficult decision, the spokesperson emphasized the temporary nature of the changes and expressed gratitude for the dedication of the departing staff. The move aims to streamline operations and enhance the efficiency of their global charitable initiatives.

This restructure coincides with the recent rebranding of the entity, which evolved from the Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies just last week. The couple announced this change after five years of operation, signaling a broader vision for their charitable work. The new designation is intended to encompass and expand their global philanthropic efforts as a family, involving their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, in future endeavors.

According to a statement from the couple’s representatives, this “next chapter” allows Prince Harry and Meghan to broaden their impact, maintaining the same core values and partnerships. The “fiscal sponsor operating model” typically involves an established non-profit organization providing administrative and legal oversight for a smaller project or initiative, allowing the primary entity to focus solely on programming and fundraising. This model can reduce overhead costs and simplify regulatory compliance.

Archewell Philanthropies has previously demonstrated its commitment to international humanitarian causes through significant donations. Notably, the organization contributed $500,000 to projects supporting children injured in conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. This substantial sum was allocated to facilitate medical evacuations and develop crucial prosthetic solutions for young victims of war.

The donations included a $200,000 grant to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support urgent medical evacuations from Gaza to Jordan. An additional $150,000 went to the Save the Children charity, bolstering ongoing humanitarian aid efforts within Gaza. Furthermore, the Centre of Blast Injury Studies received $150,000 to advance its research and development of prostheses, specifically targeting children severely injured in the Ukrainian and Gazan conflicts.

The organization also faced a temporary administrative hurdle in May 2024 when it was briefly listed as “delinquent” by California regulators. This status arose from a perceived failure to submit required annual reports and/or renewal fees, prompting a formal notice. The delinquency notice warned that such a status could prohibit an organization from soliciting or disbursing charitable funds and risked suspension or revocation of its registration.

However, the situation was swiftly rectified, and within days, the Archewell Foundation’s status was updated to “current.” A subsequent statement from California’s Department of Justice affirmed that Archewell Foundation was indeed “current and in good standing,” dispelling any concerns about its operational legitimacy. This clarification underscored that the issue was an administrative oversight rather than a fundamental problem with the charity’s financial health or compliance.

The transition to Archewell Philanthropies and the adoption of the fiscal sponsor model signals a strategic evolution for Harry and Meghan’s charitable work. This approach could allow them to leverage broader networks and resources while maintaining a focused philanthropic mission. The couple remains committed to their stated goal of creating meaningful reach and maximum impact through their global initiatives.

Despite the operational adjustments and personnel changes, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to emphasize their dedication to humanitarian efforts. Their ongoing commitment to various causes, from supporting war-affected children to broader social initiatives, remains a central tenet of their public work, as they navigate this new phase of their independent philanthropic endeavors.

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Keywords: Archewell Philanthropies, Prince Harry Meghan Markle, Staff redundancies, Fiscal sponsor model, Charity restructure, Gaza Ukraine donations, Philanthropic endeavors, Archewell Foundation status