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Nonprofiteer
← SESAME WORKSHOP

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by SESAME WORKSHOP.

Totals

Total revenue
$170,338,735
Total expenses
$166,879,256
Contributions and grants received
$49,262,052
Grants paid
$7,917,736
Program service revenue
$83,182,991
Investment income
$6,380,592
Other revenue
$31,513,100
Total assets, end of year
$577,963,669
Total liabilities, end of year
$108,557,875
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$469,405,794
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$130,076,598
Management and general expenses
$29,729,113
Fundraising expenses
$7,073,545
Program service expenses (Part III)
$130,076,598

Program services were 77.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Listed in Part VII

  • STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD

    CEO (THRU 2/2024)

    Total calculated
    $1,066,294
    From this org
    $1,025,307
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,987
    Hours/week
    60 + 2.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $778,378
    Bonus
    $244,635
    Other
    $2,294
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,987
    Filer's total
    $1,066,294
  • SHERRIE ROLLINS WESTIN

    PRESIDENT/INTERIM CEO (AS OF 2/2024)

    Total calculated
    $894,684
    From this org
    $858,697
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,987
    Hours/week
    60 + 0.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $647,804
    Bonus
    $202,457
    Other
    $8,436
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,987
    Filer's total
    $894,684
  • JEFFREY N WATANABE

    CHAIRMAN EMERITUS (THRU 11/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • JOAN GANZ COONEY

    HONORARY TRUSTEE (NON-VOTING)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5 + 0.5 related
  • FRANS HIJKOOP

    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD (THRU 5/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • MARLENE HESS

    TRUSTEE (THRU 11/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • MICHAEL G MANASSE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • DR AMY BETH JORDAN PHD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • JEFFREY WEISS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • PAUL LINDLEY

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • ANN RUBINSTEIN TISCH

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • JENNA MACK

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • VARUN CHANDRA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • LEE EASTMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • GABRIELLE SULZBERGER

    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD (AS OF 5/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • KATHLEEN G ELSESSER

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • THASUNDA BROWN DUCKETT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • CARLA HARRIS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • VALERIE JARRETT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • DR BEVERLY DANIEL TATUM

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • MIRIAM RIVERA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5
  • BRETT ROBINSON

    EVP & CFO

    Total calculated
    $517,505
    From this org
    $449,850
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $67,655
    Hours/week
    60 + 3.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $379,306
    Bonus
    $69,238
    Other
    $1,306
    Deferred
    $3,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $63,905
    Filer's total
    $517,505
  • VALERIE MITCHELL

    EVP/GENERAL COUNSEL (AS OF 6/2023)

    Total calculated
    $496,499
    From this org
    $393,581
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $102,918
    Hours/week
    60 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $317,783
    Bonus
    $74,340
    Other
    $1,458
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $69,918
    Filer's total
    $496,499
  • KAY N WILSON STALLINGS

    EVP, CREATIVE & PRODUCTION

    Total calculated
    $549,117
    From this org
    $525,543
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,574
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $417,243
    Bonus
    $104,832
    Other
    $3,468
    Deferred
    $20,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,774
    Filer's total
    $549,117
  • SHARI ROSENFELD

    SVP INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL IMPACT

    Total calculated
    $539,856
    From this org
    $437,049
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $102,807
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $344,409
    Bonus
    $89,486
    Other
    $3,154
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $69,807
    Filer's total
    $539,856
  • RANDLE WHITFIELD HIGGINS

    EVP & HEAD OF GLOBAL ENT.

    Total calculated
    $496,657
    From this org
    $433,859
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $62,798
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $340,178
    Bonus
    $92,106
    Other
    $1,575
    Deferred
    $22,710
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,088
    Filer's total
    $496,657
  • SAMANTHA A SALTIEL

    EVP & CHIEF MARKETING OFF.

    Total calculated
    $523,859
    From this org
    $489,397
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,462
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $387,175
    Bonus
    $101,587
    Other
    $635
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,462
    Filer's total
    $523,859
  • DIANA LEE

    EVP/CHIEF HUMAN RES. (THRU 4/2024)

    Total calculated
    $484,871
    From this org
    $438,371
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,500
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $343,404
    Bonus
    $89,107
    Other
    $5,860
    Deferred
    $24,640
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,860
    Filer's total
    $484,871
  • HILLARY W STRONG

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $516,212
    From this org
    $410,616
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $105,596
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $323,604
    Bonus
    $85,176
    Other
    $1,836
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $72,596
    Filer's total
    $516,212
  • SHADRACH KISTEN

    SVP, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $503,663
    From this org
    $396,762
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $106,901
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $314,269
    Bonus
    $79,872
    Other
    $2,621
    Deferred
    $30,673
    Nontaxable benefits
    $76,228
    Filer's total
    $503,663
  • JENNIFER ALISON BRYANT

    CHIEF RESEARCH, EDU., DATA

    Total calculated
    $494,602
    From this org
    $437,516
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $57,086
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $345,487
    Bonus
    $90,418
    Other
    $1,611
    Deferred
    $21,040
    Nontaxable benefits
    $36,046
    Filer's total
    $494,602
  • JOSEPH P SALVO

    FORMER EVP & GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $348,304
    From this org
    $312,288
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,016
    Hours/week
    0

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $206,170
    Bonus
    $99,840
    Other
    $6,278
    Deferred
    $20,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,216
    Filer's total
    $348,304

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 4A
CEO, STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD, RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024; THIS PAYMENT WILL BE REFLECTED IN PART II, COLUMN B(II) ON THE TAX RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025.
PART I, LINE 7
SESAME WORKSHOP MAINTAINS A TARGETED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM WHICH FULL TIME STAFF EMPLOYEES ABOVE A CERTAIN JOB LEVEL ARE ELIGIBLE. THE TARGET AMOUNT OF EACH EMPLOYEE'S INCENTIVE COMPENSATION IS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF JOB LEVEL, INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES WHETHER INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR EACH GIVEN YEAR AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARDS TO OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE APPROVED BY THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE BASED ON COMPARABLE MARKET DATA, AS DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE O.
GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT FORM 990 COMPENSATION
THE FORM 990 COMPENSATION REPORTED FOR THE OFFICERS, KEY EMPLOYEES AND THE TOP FIVE MOST HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES, AS REPORTED IN FORM 990, PART VII AND SCHEDULE J IS BASED ON AMOUNTS REPORTED ON THE FORMS W-2 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023. THE AMOUNTS IN EACH COLUMN ON SCHEDULE J REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING: COLUMN B(I): BASE COMPENSATION REDUCED BY PRE-TAX DEDUCTIONS TO MEDICAL OR OTHER CAFETERIA BENEFITS COLUMNS B(II): INCENTIVE COMPENSATION RECEIVED IN CALENDAR YEAR 2023 COLUMNS B(III): NON-TRADITIONAL PAYMENTS SUCH AS A VACATION PAYOUT, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE IN EXCESS OF $50K, AS WELL AS SEVERANCE PAYMENTS (WHEN APPLICABLE) COLUMN C: EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO 401K PLAN COLUMN D: EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS NON-TAXABLE BENEFITS, INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, DENTAL INSURANCE, FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS, ETC.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • SESAME STREET INC

    501(C)(2) · TITLE HOLDING · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • THE ELECTRIC COMPANY INC

    501(C)(2) · TITLE HOLDING · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOR EDUCATION

    501(C)(3) · EDU. RESEARCH · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • GALLI GALLI SIM SIM EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

    N/A · EDU. MEDIA · IN · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL INC

    501(C)(3) · EDU. MEDIA · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • SESAME WORKSHOP INITIATIVES (INDIA) PLC

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · IN · 99% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET BRAND MGMT & SVC SHANGHAI

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · CH · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME WORKSHOP EUROPE GMBH

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · GM · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME WORKSHOP LATIN AMERICA SDE RL DE CV

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · MX · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME WORKSHOP EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SOUTH AFRICA NPC

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · SF · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME STREET JAPAN GK

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · JA · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME SERVICES FP

  • CTW COMMUNICATIONS INC

    C · HOLDING · DE · 100% owned · share of income $1,943 · share of assets $20,071 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 51 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $1,754 · share of assets $3,586,925 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 52 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $2,317,481 · share of assets $3,043,720 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET SEASON 53 PRODUCTIONS INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $25,802 · share of assets $19,340 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET SEASON 54 PRODUCTIONS INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $4,355,129 · share of assets $627,098 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET SEASON 55 PRODUCTIONS INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $11,354,451 · share of assets $937,602 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET SEASON 56 PRODUCTIONS INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $369,591 · share of assets $300,000 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME SERVICES FP INC

    C · VIDEO PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $17,719 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202541349349311354

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