The News
Oprah Halts Funding for Archwell as Meghan and Harry’s Foundation Faces Financial Turmoil
A recent tax report unveils a startling revelation that media mogul Oprah Winfrey has ceased funding the Archwell Foundation, co-founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The report indicates that Meghan Markle allegedly pocketed £10 million, leading to a halt in donations towards significant charitable causes such as the Invictus Games and Wellchild.
In response to mounting criticism, the Archwell Foundation released its 990 tax form for the year 2022.
On its website, the foundation expressed its commitment to impactful philanthropic work, emphasizing a hands-on approach to community service.
The foundation highlighted its collaboration with key organizations and leaders to address pressing needs and drive sustainable change.
The tax report sheds light on concerning financial trends within the Archwell Foundation.
Notably, there has been an 81% drop in donations, primarily attributed to Oprah Winfrey's withdrawal of financial support.
Moreover, the foundation's operational expenses have surged, with a significant increase in employee-related costs.
This spike in expenses has raised questions about the sustainability of the foundation's financial model.
One striking observation from the report is the substantial rise in non-grant making expenses from £890,000 in 2021 to £1.4 million in 2022.
A considerable portion of this increase can be attributed to escalating employee expenses, which soared from £163,000 in 2021 to £640,000 in 2022.
The hiring of additional key employees has further inflated the foundation's overhead costs.
The employment structure at Archwell has come under scrutiny, with concerns raised over the necessity of three full-time employees commanding substantial salaries to manage a charity that relies on limited donations.
The report also highlights a surge in payments to independent contractors, including the enigmatic entity known as the Invisible Hand.
Despite receiving a lump sum of £10 million in the previous year, the report fails to account for the expenditure of these funds in the current financial disclosures.
Questions loom over the transparency and utilization of these substantial financial resources, prompting calls for further investigation by regulatory authorities.
The absence of donations to prominent organizations such as World Central Kitchen raises eyebrows, especially considering their significant contributions in the past.
The discrepancy in funding allocations and the focus on select beneficiaries underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency in the foundation's operations.
As the Archwell Foundation grapples with financial challenges and scrutiny over its spending practices, stakeholders and observers are calling for greater clarity and accountability in the management of charitable funds.
The revelations from the tax report have sparked a debate on the effectiveness and integrity of celebrity-driven philanthropic endeavors, urging a reevaluation of priorities and practices within the charitable sector.