2 Years After Viral Video, Kony Group Active but Stretched

NPR looks at the state of Invisible Children, the San Diego nonprofit founded to aid the search for the central African warlord Joseph Kony, two years after the charity’s “Kony 2012″ video went viral.

Upon its March 2012 release, the 30-minute film made by Jason Russell, the founder of Invisible Children, drew 120 million views, a raft of celebrity tweets, and criticism that it simplified the facts of the Kony issue and reinforced stereotypes that Africa needs white, Western help. Questions were also raised about the charity’s spending, and Mr. Russell had a well-publicized public meltdown.

Despite the backlash, Invisible Children raised $32-million after the release of the video and dramatically ramped up its staffing and on-the-ground work in Africa. Since then, the income stream has slowed and the charity has laid off about half of its full-time employees. The president of Charity Navigator, Ken Berger, said Invisible Children is transparent and well governed but tax filings show that its spending is outstripping revenue.