Grover, Abby, Gabrielle and Rosita in formal wear.

Annual Gala

Stronger Together: Building Resilient Hearts & Minds

What an incredible evening! Thank you for joining us at Sesame Workshop’s Annual Gala. It was a joy to come together and celebrate the power of resilience—and the vital role we can play in helping children navigate life’s challenges, big and small.

We are deeply grateful to our honorees—Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, and New York Life, accepted by CEO Craig DeSanto—for their extraordinary leadership and the lasting impact they’ve made on the lives of children and families.

Thanks to your generous support, we raised $3.3 million, which will help Sesame Workshop fuel its mission. In addition, New York Life Foundation announced a $1.5 million grant to expand our work together to support children coping with bereavement and grief.

Click here to view a photo gallery from the evening.

If you didn’t have a chance to donate or fill out a pledge form, you can still take part here. Your generosity helps ensure that Sesame Street is here for generations to come.





Elmo with a group of children.

We hope to see you again next year.

Save the Date!

May 27, 2026

Contact us for more info

Sesame Workshop’s Annual Gala is our single largest fundraiser of the year. This star-studded event features remarkable honorees, special performances, and of course, the iconic Sesame Street Muppets. Together, we’ll celebrate Sesame Workshop’s ongoing work to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Highlights From Years Past

Michelle Obama, Big Bird, Grover, Abby and Elmo.

Michelle Obama

Shonda Rhimes, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Oprah Winfrey

Shonda Rhimes, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Oprah Winfrey

Andra Day with Abby and Gabrielle

Andra Day

Oprah Winfrey, Desmond Tutu, Heather Headley, with Kami and Basma.

Oprah Winfrey, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Heather Headley

President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and the Muppets of Sesame Street.

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden

Vanessa Williams, Barbara Walters and Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

Vanessa Williams, HRH Queen Rania, and Barbara Walters

Bill Clinton, John Stewart and Elmo.

President Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart

John Legend singing with Elmo and Abby.

John Legend

John Oliver and Cookie Monster.

John Oliver

Michael Bloomberg and a puppet version of Michael Bloomberg.

The Honorable Michael Bloomberg

Joan Ganz Cooney, Michale Buble and the Muppets of Sesame Street.

Michael Buble

Lin Manual Miranda.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hoda Kotb, The Count, Abby, Elmo and Grover.

Hoda Kotb

Katie Couric with Zoe, Elmo and the Count.

KatieCouric

Chrissy Teigen with big bird.

Chrissy Teigen

Charlie Puth singing with Elmo.

Charlie Puth

Andy Grammer with Elmo.

Andy Grammer

Elvis Costello with Cookie Monster, Kami, Abby, grover and Telly.

Elvis Costello

Sarah Bareilles singing at the Sesame Workshop gala.

Norah O’Donnell and Sara Bareilles

Joan Ganz Cooney with Rosita, Elmo, Abby, Zoe and Grover.

Joan Ganz Cooney

Chris Jackson singing with Elmo and Abby.

Chris Jackson

Anderson Cooper and Elmo.

Anderson Cooper

Erica Hill with Elmo, The Count and Grover

Erica Hill

Tori Kelly singing with Abby Cadabby and Elmo

Tori Kelly

Renée Elise Goldsberry with The Count, Elmo, and Grover

Renée Elise Goldsberry

Related Info

Sesame Workshop is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization under EIN 13-2655731. The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $300. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street® and all related trademarks, characters and design elements are owned by Sesame Workshop.

The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $300. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law. Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit, nondiscriminatory, 501(c)(3) educational organization. Tax ID# 13-2655731. © 2024 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.