Harry and Meghan’s charity listed as ‘delinquent’ and ordered to stop soliciting
Archewell Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by Harry and Meghan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s charity has got itself into some trouble.
Four years after being established, the Archewell Foundation has been declared as’delinquent’ by the state of California for failing to submit its annual records and unpaid fees.
As a result, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been ordered to stop soliciting or spending money for the foundation.
A notice letter was sent on May 3 saying the foundation is ‘listed as delinquent’ for ‘failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees’.
The letter says an organisation listed as delinquent is banned from ‘soliciting or disbursing charitable funds’ and its registration may be ‘suspended or revoked’
It is understood that a physical cheque was sent by Archewell Foundation but not received, and a new one has been sent to resolve the issue.
It is believed the charity was only made aware of this when the delinquency notice was published.
The US-based couple must now file the necessary forms and money to be allowed to fully operate Archewell under California’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.
Californian law on delinquency
When a charity fails to submit complete filings for each tax year, its status on the Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers will be listed as delinquent.
If left unsolved, the Registry status will be further changed to suspended, and/or revoked.
A charity that is not in good standing with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers may not operate or solicit donations in California.
Now that a cheque has been posted, it is expected that the charity will resume its operations.
It is understood that this will be reflected in records within seven business days.
It comes as Harry and Meghan wrapped up a three-day tour of Lagos on Sunday.
Nigeria has expressed interest in hosting the Invictus Games, the charity sporting event for wounded soldiers founded a decade ago by the duke.
There, they unveiled a partnership between the organisation and the Archewell Foundation.
Harry and Meghan founded the non-profit organisation in 2020 with the mission to ‘show up, do good’.
A statement on the website reads: ‘We meet the moment by showing up, taking action and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities – local and global – through acts of service and compassion.’
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