Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced that their charitable organization, formerly known as the Archewell Foundation, is undergoing a significant restructuring and will now operate under the name Archewell Philanthropies. As part of this transformation, the couple has confirmed that some staff reductions are unavoidable, particularly affecting junior administrative roles.
A spokesperson for the couple told People on Monday, “The move toward a fiscal sponsor operating model does mean that some staff redundancies are inevitable, particularly with junior admin roles. We will not be discussing these personnel details further, other than to say that we are honored to have worked with incredibly talented and caring individuals who dedicate themselves to helping others.”
The announcement follows last week’s news that the foundation, which the couple launched in 2020, is entering a new phase after five years of philanthropic work. Meghan and Harry, who share two young children—six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet—intend for this next chapter to allow the family to expand their global impact while maintaining the same core values of service, compassion, and social responsibility.
According to the organization’s website, the new structure allows the couple to broaden their charitable reach as a family. “This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to extend their global philanthropic efforts, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and commitment to do good,” a spokesperson said in a statement last week.
A History of Humanitarian Giving
Over the years, Archewell has contributed to numerous causes around the world. Recently, the organization donated $500,000 to aid children affected by conflict in Gaza and Ukraine. These funds were distributed among several initiatives:
- $200,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) for medical evacuations from Gaza to Jordan.
- $150,000 to Save the Children to provide ongoing humanitarian support in Gaza.
- $150,000 to the Centre of Blast Injury Studies, helping develop prosthetics for children injured in both Ukraine and Gaza.
The donations demonstrate the organization’s commitment to global health, education, and child welfare, even in regions affected by conflict. Archewell has consistently prioritized initiatives that deliver tangible, immediate assistance to those in crisis, while also supporting longer-term programs to improve quality of life.
Background and Legal Status
In May 2024, the Archewell Foundation was temporarily listed as “delinquent” by the California Department of Justice due to missing annual reports and renewal fees. At the time, the department warned that delinquent organizations are prohibited from soliciting or disbursing charitable funds, and their registration could be suspended or revoked. However, the foundation quickly rectified the issue and is currently listed as “current and in good standing.”
Looking Ahead
As Archewell Philanthropies moves into this new phase, Meghan and Harry’s focus will remain on strategic partnerships and high-impact projects around the world. While some staffing adjustments are inevitable, the couple has emphasized their continued dedication to supporting and uplifting communities globally.
The transition reflects a broader trend among modern philanthropic organizations, which are increasingly adopting flexible models and fiscal sponsor arrangements to maximize efficiency and scale impact. For Archewell, this restructuring appears aimed at consolidating operations, streamlining administration, and enabling the family to tackle larger, more complex global projects over the coming years.
A spokesperson concluded, “While change can be difficult, this new structure allows us to better serve our mission and ensure that every initiative we undertake reaches its full potential. We remain deeply grateful to our staff, supporters, and partners who share our vision of a world where compassion and action intersect.”
