Harry and Meghan's Archewell Philanthropies posts costly year as staff cuts follow rebrand

The Archewell Foundation, yesterday rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies, posted a difficult financial year in 2024 as expenses surged while donations declined and three staffers were laid off in a restructuring.

Federal tax filings for the year show total expenses of $5.1 million and revenue of $2.1 million, with grants issued totaling $1.25 million. Expenses rose 54 percent from $3.3 million the previous year, while contributions and grants fell from $5.3 million to $2.1 million. Salaries were listed at $913,000 and other expenses at $2.9 million. In the year, the foundation posted a net negative of $2.5 million, and net assets dropped to $8.2 million from $10.7 million a year earlier. The filing, known as a Form 990, was made public on Friday after the charity announced the name change. The 990 does not disclose donor identities but itemizes grants, including a $50,000 award to refurbish basketball courts in Nigeria. Some of the higher expenses may be tied to the couple's quasi-royal tours of Nigeria and Colombia earlier in the year.

Three Archewell staff members were informed of their layoffs about a week ago as the organization restructures under its new name. Kristen Slevin, the director of programs and operations, is among those affected, with the 990 form listing a salary of $146,000 for 2024. The Sussexes' office had denied staffing changes in the days prior to the layoffs, saying that the full team remained in place. A spokesperson later acknowledged that redundancies were inevitable, particularly for junior administrative roles.

The remaining staff include Harry’s longtime adviser and friend James Holt and charity professional Shauna Nep, who has also worked with Hailey Bieber and with Scooter Braun. Meghan and Prince Harry are listed as directors of Archewell Philanthropies and do not take a salary; the filing indicates they each contribute roughly one hour per week to Archewell matters.

Founded in 2020 and named in part for their son Archie, Archewell has long positioned itself as a hub for philanthropic work tied to mental health, responsible technology and community wellbeing. The name change to Archewell Philanthropies accompanies a shift in operating model to a fiscal sponsor arrangement, intended to streamline administration and provide greater flexibility to expand global work. Officials say Archewell Philanthropies will remain fully charitable, tax-deductible and IRS-compliant while maintaining the same causes.

In a look back at prior filings, the 2023 tax return showed Archewell donated £1,026,240 to charitable causes and received £4,183,892 in grants – largely from Fidelity Charitable, a U.S.-based donor-advised fund. The majority of other income came from five individuals whose contributions were not named in the filing. The charity’s public-facing material continues to emphasize that its work centers on mental health, community wellbeing and responsible technology, with a focus on families, youth, and diverse communities.

Separately, Archewell has engaged in fundraising partnerships over the years, including a noted association with CharityBuzz, which has auctioned access to events featuring the Sussexes. Archewell officials say the organization partners with a variety of fundraising partners and maintains a commitment to transparent, impact-driven giving while prioritizing long-term solutions over short-term campaigns.