Sesame Workshop

CharityWatch's rating of Sesame Workshop (the "Company") includes the financial activities of the subsidiaries that are consolidated in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

According to the Sesame Workshop (the "Company") tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the Company reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding severance payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 4a):

"Former director, Stephen Youngwood, and SVP of International Social Impact, Shari Rosenfeld received separation payments in calendar year 2024. Stephen Youngwood received $652,952 and Shari Rosenfeld received $122,397;..."

[Youngwood and Rosenfeld had total reported compensation during 2024 of $761,041 and $548,247, respectively (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II)]. 

The Company reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" to 13 individuals during 2024. Sherrie Rollins Westin, President & CEO, received $281,962 with total reported compensation of $1,136,265. The remaining 12 individuals received between $58,512 and $94,480 ,with total reported compensation ranging from $178,949 to $551,141.

According to the Sesame Workshop (the "Company") 2025 tax filing, IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part IV, Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons:

The "name of interested person" is reported as "Sherrie Westin."

The "relationship between interested person and the organization" is "Officer/Trustee."

The "amount of transaction" is reported as "$274,000."

According to the Sesame Workshop (the "Company") 2025 tax filing, IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part V, Supplemental Information):

"Sherrie Westin, an officer and board member of Sesame Workshop, has a family member who holds an ownership interest in a market research firm that provided professional services to Sesame Workshop during fiscal year [2025]. During the year, Sesame Workshop paid this organization [$274,000] for market research services rendered.

Sesame Workshop engaged this vendor through its normal vendor selection and contracting processes, and Ms. Westin did not participate in, influence, or otherwise provide input with respect to the selection of the vendor, the negotiation of the terms of the engagement, the scope of services, or the approval of payments. All services were provided at arm's length and on terms consistent with those that would be offered by an unrelated third party.

In accordance with Sesame Workshop's conflict of interest policy, the potential related party relationship was disclosed to the board of directors. The transaction was reviewed and approved following the organization's established conflict of interest review procedures, with Ms. Westin recused from any discussion or consideration of the matter. The board determined that the engagement was in the best interests of Sesame Workshop and that the terms of the transaction were fair and reasonable to the organization."

According to the Sesame Workshop (the "Company") 2025 tax filing: "Board of Trustees member, Joan Ganz Cooney, and Board of Trustees member, Michael Manasse, have a business relationship" (IRS Form 990, Schedule O re: Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 2).

Both are reported as Directors (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A). The Company reports having 17 voting members on its governing body at the end of fiscal 2025, with 16 members being reported as independent (IRS Form 990, Part VI, Section A, lines 1a & 1b).