Remember the Viral 'Kony 2012' Video? The Group Behind It Just Revealed a Surprising Detail About Its Future.

The organization that rose to international fame with the release of its "Kony 2012" viral video two years ago has announced that it will be significantly downsizing, firing most of its staff and handing its work over to partner groups on the ground in Africa in 2015.

In a statement released by Invisible Children on Monday, the San Diego-based organization that has fought against the exploitation of children in East and central Africa and sought capture of Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony, said that it will be cutting down U.S. programs and operations.

As TheBlaze previously reported, Kony's rebel group has been accused of murdering and mutilating tens of thousands over the past three decades, abducting children and forcing them into war or the sex trade. Invisible Children has worked to bring these crimes to light and to halt the rampage.

Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony (AP)

The organization, which has faced controversy in the past, said it is inspired by all that has been accomplished since its founders began their journey back in 2003, but noted that funding has been a major challenge over the past few years.

"When our three founders got on a plane with a camera in 2003, they never imagined that the story they found would lead to this incredible journey. And sitting here eleven years later, we cannot believe how much we’ve been able to accomplish with all of you," the statement read. "But despite making incredible progress toward our mission, it’s been difficult to fund the breadth of our work, especially over the last two years."

Invisible Children CEO Ben Kesseytold NPR that he always knew the organization would have an end date. But despite monumental strides, its biggest goal — catching warlord Joseph Kony — has yet to be accomplished.

"We never built Invisible Children to be something that would last forever. Frankly, we thought it would be a one-or two-year project," he said. "You know, we've seen radical progress. But it's never come with that signature win of a Joseph Kony capture."

That said, the organization is making some tough choices in light of financial constraints.

Moving forward, Invisible Children will focus its resources on the execution of "essential programs," closing the media awareness campaigns that it has run in the U.S. This will signal the end of school visits, new video releases and the T-shirts that helped spread the group's message.

Additionally, no public events will be held and U.S. staff members will be phased out.

"Invisible Children will be moving out of our San Diego office and the majority of our staff will be let go, including our current executive staff," the statement read. "What you will get in 2015 is a lean, experienced team doing the hard work in the trenches on Capitol Hill and in the heart of central Africa, maintaining the critical programs that are protecting communities targeted by the LRA and helping those in captivity safely find their way home."

This will include five full-time staffers in the U.S. and between 25 and 30 in Africa — individuals who will help transition Invisible Children's work to local groups on the ground next year, NPR reported.

The organization, which touted its accomplishments, including a 92 percent reduction in Lord's Resistance Army killings, said that it is going back to its roots with a small staff that will act when called upon, relying on a volunteer force in the U.S. in addition to its transition sites abroad.

In order to continue its scaled-down operations, though, the organization said that it will need to raise $150,000 in order to maintain teams in the U.S. and Africa through next year.

"We’re firing ourselves, but we’re not quitting," the statement concluded. "Because we won’t stop until every captive man, woman, and child is out of the LRA."

(H/T: NPR)