Washington, D.C. — Legacies of War, the leading organization dedicated to raising awareness and securing vital resources for unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, survivor assistance, and explosive ordnance risk education for Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, is honored to announce its new fiscal sponsorship partnership with the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).
Contact: Danae Hendrickson, Marketing & Communications, Danae@legaciesofwar.org
After 22 years of incredible growth and impactful partnership housed under NEO Philanthropy Inc, Legacies of War is embarking on an exciting new chapter. This transition to FCNL brings together two organizations deeply united by a shared commitment to peace, human dignity, and the healing of war-torn communities.
“We owe a profound debt of gratitude to NEO Philanthropy for nurturing Legacies of War over the past 22 years,” said Sera Koulabdara, Chief Executive Officer of Legacies of War. “They provided the stable foundation and trusted home that allowed a small, grassroots vision to grow into a globally recognized voice for demining and survivor assistance. As we step into this next horizon with FCNL, we do so with immense appreciation for where we’ve been and boundless excitement for where we are heading. Partnering with FCNL bridges our mission with a legendary legacy of Quaker peacebuilding—bringing us full circle as we work together to heal the enduring wounds of the American wars in Southeast Asia.”
This alignment honors a profound historical continuity. For generations, the Quaker anti-war movement and organizations like FCNL have stood firmly against militarism, offering moral clarity and unwavering support for peace and relief efforts during the U.S. wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Legacies of War and FCNL already work hand-in-hand as dedicated steering committee members of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition (USCBL-CMC), advocating tirelessly for human security and disarmament.
“FCNL is deeply honored to welcome Legacies of War into fiscal sponsorship,” said Bridget Moix, General Secretary of FCNL. “For over two decades, Legacies has transformed awareness into action, shifting U.S. policy and bringing healing to communities impacted by unexploded ordnance. Given our shared roots in peace witness and our long-standing alliance on disarmament and human rights, this partnership is a powerful natural alignment. Together, we look forward to building a more peaceful, reconciled future.”
Leadership Voices
Kitty Ufford-Chase, clerk of FCNL’s Executive Committee, shared excitement:
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support this powerful project that aligns with FCNL’s mission and strategic plan and allows us to be a small part of important work to repair the harms of past U.S. wars, even as we work to prevent and end new ones.”
Ambassador (ret.) Karen Stewart, Chair, Board of Directors, Legacies of War, shared her excitement:
“This partnership represents a tremendous milestone for Legacies of War. By joining forces with FCNL, we are not only securing a wonderful administrative home for our future, but we are also supercharging our capacity to advocate for peace, justice, and accountability at the highest levels of government. We are poised to reach new heights together.”
Legacies of War at a Historic Moment
Founded in 2004, Legacies of War fosters healing and peace through education, art, and advocacy. Over two decades, the organization has mobilized communities, policymakers, and international partners to support UXO clearance, survivor assistance, and explosive-ordnance risk education across Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Through persistent advocacy, annual U.S. funding for UXO-related programs has increased from $3 million to over $70 million for Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Comprehensive Partnership between the U.S. and the Lao PDR and also President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Laos as the first sitting U.S. President to do so. Legacies is also honored to serve as a Friend of the President, a trusted partner, as Laos officially assumes the presidency of the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in September of 2026.
2025 marked 50 years since the end of the American wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia — an essential moment to deepen public understanding of the conflicts’ enduring humanitarian consequences. It was also the 50th year since the largest refugee resettlement in U.S. history as millions of people fled the war from SE Asia.
Recent Impact Highlights (2024–present)
- Launched the first-ever Timeline of the American Secret War in Laos through the Legacies Library
- Featured in over 40 media outlets, significantly expanding public awareness
- Presented at major forums including the Vietnam Conference, Leahy Public Policy Forum, Global Health Week at West Virginia University, and the Economic Forum in Poland
- Coordinated sign-on letters from U.S. veterans, former U.S. Ambassadors, and international youth advocates supporting demining and survivor assistance
- Honored with an Award of Gratitude from H.E. Ambassador Sisavath Inphachanh of Laos
Call to Action: Support Needed Now
As Legacies of War enters this pivotal chapter, we are seeking urgent funding to expand our educational and advocacy work. Your support will:
- Inform the American public about the long-term consequences of war and inspire strong Congressional support
- Empower the next generation of peacebuilders, including youth, diaspora communities, and veterans
- Preserve cultural memory and survivor stories, ensuring their history is honored and not forgotten
As a small but high-impact organization, Legacies of War has shown that meaningful change is possible through creativity, trust, and community engagement. With your support, we will continue building the bridges of memory and understanding that true peace requires.
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If you would like to learn more about Legacies of War, please contact: Danae Hendrickson, Marketing & Communications, Danae@legaciesofwar.org