2025 Impact Report
The world needs Sesame. And Sesame needs you.
In a year of uncertainty, Sesame was a lifeline for families. Despite cuts to public broadcasting and international aid, in 2025 we reached more children than ever in our history with proven, joyful content and comforting support — in living rooms, classrooms, and communities in 190 countries.
See how we’re helping the next generation grow smarter, stronger, and kinder… with support from friends like you.
Our Mission in Action
Another year of tremendous impact, thanks to our supporters.
Reaching and teaching more children than ever.
This year, we developed a historic public-private partnership with Netflix and PBS KIDS. Through Netflix’s global reach, we’re reaching more children than ever before. Through PBS KIDS, we’re continuing our legacy of bringing critical early learning to children across the U.S. for free on public television. And, starting in 2026, the largest free digital library of Sesame Street content will come to YouTube.
340 million households reached via broadcast, digital, and community-based programming
5B views on Sesame’s YouTube channels in the past year, a 130% increase year over year
Of course, reach only matters if our content helps children learn and grow. That’s why we invest in research, early-childhood expertise, and world-class creativity — the things that have made Sesame Street the gold standard in educational media. And none of that would be possible without philanthropic support.
Big leaps for little learners.
In a time of deep polarization, Sesame is meeting the moment by equipping children with kindness, compassion, and social problem-solving skills so needed in today’s world. Building on the emotional well-being focus of Season 55, Sesame Street’s 56th season launched in November with a focus on kindness and compassion—plus a reimagined format featuring richer storylines, new segments, and direct character-viewer interactions that are proven to deepen children’s engagement and learning.
Rays of sunshine on the cloudiest days.
Sesame stepped up for families coping with unprecedented disasters, delivering comfort and child-friendly resources in the aftermath of wildfires and floods across the U.S. Featuring friends like Abby and Elmo, our bilingual resources helped families comfort young children during scary times. With our emergency preparedness materials, families can better plan for extreme weather events, which are affecting more communities than ever before.
“My son woke up to orange skies this morning and was scared. Sesame Street helped him forget his worries. Thank you!!! ❤️” – Parent
Philanthropic Momentum
Amazing partners help us advance our child-centered mission. Meet two.
New York Life Foundation
Easing grief in a child’s life.
With a $1.5 million grant from New York Life Foundation, we’re extending a comforting hand to children coping with death and loss. New online resources guide families through the journey of managing big feelings and remembering loved ones. One highlight of our collaboration is Growing As We Grieve, an award-winning digital experience that helps grieving families begin to heal.
4 Anthem Awards for “Growing as We Grieve” “I’ve used the Sesame Workshop Helping Kids Grieve and other resources to support pediatric patients and their families. From my own childhood to now my work in adulthood, I am overall so grateful for all that Sesame Street has done for children!!”
LEGO Foundation
Leveling up Play to Learn.
2025 concludes our 5-year, $100 million partnership with LEGO Foundation to unlock the power of play for children affected by conflict. Our latest efforts help support and scale the field of early childhood education in crisis zones. A new Watch, Play, Learn Toolkit empowers practitioners to integrate evidence-based early learning into humanitarian programs globally. Now, LEGO Foundation has extended its support of Play to Learn through 2028 to help us scale successful early childhood models in Bangladesh and the Middle East.
30,000 facilitators trained to lead playful learning activities. They reached millions of children and caregivers affected by conflict — and the ripple effects continue.
Help keep our momentum going.
Sesame Street is unlike any other children’s program. From the beginning, we’ve been driven not by profits, but by our nonprofit mission: helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. That promise of impact is made possible by philanthropic support. Your dollars help Sesame produce high-quality, research-based content and bring support to families who need us most.
When you partner with Sesame, you invest in learning that makes a life-changing difference for children everywhere.
Supporters & Partners
Visionary partners power our mission to help children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Thanks to their financial and strategic support, Sesame Workshop is reaching more families, educators, and community providers today than ever in our history.
Funding Supports $50,000-$1,000,000+
$1,000,000+
Bloomberg Philanthropies
National Science Foundation
Anonymous
LEGO Foundation
MetLife Foundation
Abbott
PNC Foundation
Morgan Stanley
Sergey Brin Family Foundation
Peter G. Peterson Foundation
UBS Optimus Foundation
Anonymous
$500,000 – $999,999
Anonymous
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
Joan Ganz Cooney
$250,000 – $499,999
Anonymous
FEMSA Foundation
Roblox
New York Life
The Elevate Prize Foundation
Shou Chew and Vivian Kao
$100,000 – $249,999
Administration for Children and Families of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Anonymous
Mobilizarte Social
Just Play
Pfizer Inc.
U.S. Agency for International Development
Karen Kilgariff
Ogden Cap Properties
Abby Black Elbaum
Diane Sawyer
Christy and John Mack
$50,000 – $99,999
Sherrie and David Westin
Kide Science
P&G
Marlene Hess and James D. Zirin
Amy Jones
UNESCO
The Raine Group
TIAA-CREF
Marlene Hess and Jim Zirin
Ann and Andrew Tisch
Kathy and Henry Elsesser
Miriam Rivera
Agnes Gund*
Jenna Mack
Carla Harris
Mrs. Worthsmith®
Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
Jurate Kazickas and Roger Altman
* in memoriam.
Funding Supports $500-$49,999
$25,000 – $49,999
Dogwood Health Trust
Tiger Baron Foundation
Paul Hastings LLP
PSEG
Bank of America
Vanguard
Tiger Baron Foundation, Inc.
Weiss Family Foundation
Jennifer Besada
Warner Music Group / Arts Music
Regan Spencer
The Giuliani Family Foundation
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
American Online Giving
Mary Hsiao
Debevoise and Plimpton
Rob Potter
David Bruson
Amy Griffin
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Aliyya Clark
Protiviti
Adalisse Rodriguez
Cloudera
Violet Wittig
Hecker Fink LLC
Kitty Patterson and Tom Kempner
John & Amy Griffin Foundation Inc.
Thomas Kempner
Vanessa and Lee Eastman
Michael and Elizabeth Manasse
Anonymous
Ann and Andrew Tisch
Kathryn and Kenneth Chenault
Karen and Jeff Dunn
Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hostetter Jr.
Afsaneh and Michael Beschloss
Jane Hitchcock*
The Marc Haas Foundation/Stanley S. Shuman
J. William Uhrig & Anastasia Vournas
* in memoriam
$15,000 – $24,999
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Anonymous
National Financial Services LLC
Marron Family Charitable Trust
Kauffman Foundation Matching Gifts
Catherine C. Marron
Valerie Jarrett
Jane Hartley
Catie Marron
Carol Loomis
Tory Burch
$7,500 – $14,999
Kaufman Astoria Studios
Kenneth O’Connor
Jamie Kaufman
Lis Smith
Mark Thompson
Anna Cathcart
Hilary Bishop Scott
Ross & Nicole Kennedy
Abigail Baratta and Joseph Baratta
Susan Lambert
Scott Joy
Tishman Speyer
Kaufman Astoria Studios
Hearst Corporation
Richard Scarinci
IPG Shared Services
Barbara Marcus
Mary Zients
MicroMem & Captus Systems
Bishop Family Foundation
Partners Capital Investment Group, LLP
Mary and Jeffrey Zients
Patricia Lin
Luke Litwinowicz
Paul and Alison Lindley
Gabrielle Sulzberger
Jillian Manuis and Robert Chestnut
Gary and Lori Charitable Fund
Anne Finucane and Mike Barnicle
Mary D. Fisher Fund
The Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Foundation
James L. and Margo M. Nederlander
Jacqueline and Frans Hijkoop
Samira and Jeffrey Sine
Carol Sutton Lewis and Willam M. Lewis, Jr.
Beverly Tatum
Audrey Heffernan Meyer and Danny Meyer
Andy Brimmer
Mrs. Lena Kaplan
Beaches Resorts
$2,500 – $7,499
Internet Society Foundation
John and Juliane McDermott
Lenette LuCraig & JoAnne DeSanto
Harry and Jill Kargman
Alain Karaoglan
Steven Finklestein
Anita Tandon and Sujit Chakravarthy
Tom Jackson
Anonymous
MaryElizabeth Royce
Frank Falcone
Taryn Guerrera
Joseph Giraldi
Christian Slater Mychal Threets
Penguin Random House
Stephanie Courtney
William Reid
Kristal Sauer and Jon Sauer
Peter and Deborah Lamm
Erin Galyen
Give Lively Foundation
Mary Jane Grabowski
John Smith III
Valerie Lonefight
Melissa LauGeoffrey Stirling
Carolyn McMicken and Michael Shoemaker
Dr. Camille Humes
Ladan Ballai
Matthew McCanless
Jane Henson Foundation
Corporate Synergies Group
Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Rattner Family Foundation, Inc.
Ernst & Young
Random House Children’s Books
William Zuckerman
Dale Cendali, Esq.
Meredith Milstein
Laurel Kentzel Kavic
Gloria Respress-Churchwell and Kevin Churchwell
Sauer Family Foundation
Susan C. and Edward J. Ciolkosz
Gina and Kevin Gore
David Puth
Stairway Fund
Bryan Knauber
J. M. Tull Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Rachel Trembley
David Dziengowski
C Hahn
The Fernwood Foundation
Travelers
Dr. Ellen Wartella
Susan and Peter Solomon
Amy Beth Jordan, Ph.D.Emily and Jason Graefe
Cathy Russell and Tom Donilon
Heather B. Henson
Rick and Debbie Rieder Foundation
Carolyn and Doug Everson
The Dimon Family
Carl R. Kuehner
Leslie K. Williams and James A. Attwood, Jr.
Bob Schmitz and Gay Outlaw
Willow Bay and Bob Iger
Cheryl L. Henson and Ed Finn
EGL Charitable Foundation
Anonymous
Amanda Burden
Carolyne Roehm
Jodie Eastman
Myrna and Stephen Greenberg
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Sallyan and Stephen Pelletier
Tom Freston
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas
$1,000 – $2,499
PayPal
Anonymous
Julie Camus
David Wardrop
Cassandra Kiger
Javid Ahadi
Christie Johnson
Alby Alex
Olivia Truland
Alexandro Padres
Jenny Lewis
Monica Romano
Nicole Riddle
Leslie Blum
Christopher Neylan
Robert Marcus and Sandra Marcus
Neva Alsheik
Wendy Scripps
Kaitlin Fink
Rebecca NgSrikanth Nallamothu
Wes & Susan Bowen
Brett Robinson
The Beale/Lauridsen Family
Melinda Eaton
Susan Arnold
New America Foundation
Geoffrey Karapetyan
Jonathan Thier
Lenora Henry
Terrence McMahon
JoAnne Marian
Ilan Segev
Rachel Chavkin
Emma and David Ahadi
Malia Bruce
Alison Cruz
Mark Middleton
Gilda Torabian
Fred Krimm
Adam Gotway
Robin Thede
Rita B. Cone
Celeste Butler
Anne Martinelli and Greg Courtwright
Peter van der Goes
Kristen Holmgren
Christy Brunk
Rebecca Koslover
Heather Mooney
Krystal Smith-Moore
Kristen Greiwe
Kate Erickson
Israel Lira
Erica Johnson
Jesse Jensen
Vicky Ruvolo
Melissa Beynon
charles smoot
Jaarmyia Williams
Alan Bright
Gina Johnson
Robert Stringer
Tucker DeVoe
Dr. Zachary Herrmann
Stacy Siewert
Carole and Gordon Segal
Nicole and Paul Dunoguez
Marianne Borelli
Jill Zabel
Michelle Baker
Prabhu Balasubramanian
Shirley Schmidt
Robert And Lee Woodruff
Anne Simpson
Alejandra Guillen
Whitney West
Julie Yeary
Anh Le
Ron Mastrianni
Stephanie Bastin
Shawn Cosby
Ursula Vernon
Julie Goodwyn
Patricia Pacelli
Sonya Jones
Mr. Michael Blumenstein
Sally Stout
M Duane Rutledge
Suzanne Cluff
Devin Matthews
Cara Welsh
Michelle McCombs
Jonathan Blackman
Corey Keller
Greg Cummings
John A. Rodger Jr Foundation
Andy Obert
Andrew Guyette
Anonymous
Metlife Inc Charity
TX Workforce
Adam and Tracy Collins
Daryl Maneri
1906 Group LLC
Kendra Stevens
Sean Moran
Deborah Neimeth
Valerie Wong Fountain
Nate Lerner
Larkin A. and Daniel Schmidt
Bessemer Trust
Kevin King and Meridee Moore
Miranda and Philip Kaiser
Deborah Grausman
Mike O’Reilly
Melanie Schnoll-begun
Nancy Glickenhaus Foundation
Susan Tabrizi and Dave Helmer
Dawn Dunlop
Kristin Rodger
Pacione Family Charitable Fund
Bruce R. Griffin
Ingrid Skei
Mary Kong
Kathleen L. Hindle
Jonah Goodman
Celeste Ridlen and Rich Ridlen
Stamler-Kemeny Family Charitable Fund
Heidi Lundgren
Rachel Schmaier
The Hollis Stern Charitable Fund
A & M Radcliff Charitable Fund
Franklin-Erwin Family
Connie and Bob Lurie
Suzanne and Phillip C. Handal
Cheryl and Blair Effron
Nellie Gregorian and
William Sandy
James Leckman
Cecilia Conrad
The Levine Family
The Margaret Loesch Family Trust
Jill and Dan Ciporin
Lynda J. Robb
Joe Peyronnin and Susan Zirinsky
Andi and Tom Bernstein
Silda Wall Spitzer
Darren Walker
Kyung-wha Kang
$500 – $999
Michelle Marra and Jimmy Rizos
Heart Sing Foundation
Pepsi Co Foundation
David Byer
Carolyn Mullins
Amy Wright
Lisa Johnson
Thomas and Mary Jo Sellers
Carolyn Bell
Dorian Lok
Michael Heinrich
Adam Collins
Yicherng Lee
Angie Zorrilla
Sara Sleightholm
Jodi Hatherill
Austin Mora
Track Star Show
Brian Whalley
Lisa Ebert
Ken Bernard
Jonathan Urban
Carson Trobich
Larissa Charnsangavej
Johnlorenz Dalman
Eric Hall
David Saffold
Jennifer Clarke
Ben Evans
John Wilson
Kristina Halvorson
Cristy Hill
Shanna Francois
Abigail Murray
Jondy (Jonathan) Cohen
Lisa Turner
Kurt Adam
Christine Arthur
Stephanie Hitchcock
Elizabeth Higgins
Christina Kalathara
Holly Cukier
Lexie Hain
Rekha Kishore
Blair Alley
Coleen Cleeve
Bethany Gillispie
Bradley De Ramon
Sandra Peticolas
Carol Darveau
Brian Garcia
Armando Yero
Rachna Saxena
Jennifer Bowland
Rebecca Kaufman
Max Nisen
Michael Carolan
Robert Carmichael
Marvin & Judy Harper
Jennifer Yeaw
Kimberley Todd
JanLee Marshall
Carson Cox
Kimberley Arnette
Ruth Knights
Michelle Wong
Teresa Graham
Richard Harris
Julia Takarada
Karen Farrelly
Emma Duncan
Jessica Falk
Beryl Brame
Laura Hazel Jack
Tony Zhou
Virginia Schuler
Eric Nickel
Angela Powell
Katherine Yurkovich
Matthew Dank
Debra Gawne
Luis Gomez
Asha Keba
Sabrina Glaser
Matthew Severin
Adam Honne
Aban Siraj
Suzanne Ploger
Herbert Ong
Richard Sajor
Melissa Harris
Johnson Brunetti
Michele Villarreal-Chandy
Nicole Sevilla Hernandez
Sateesh and Vijaya Nabar
Kyle Hauberg
Alysa Craigie
Mel Cowan
Krishelle Hardson-Hurley
Scott Hughes
Bronc Johnson
Kelly Darnell
Marianne Fortuna
Michael Peragine
Sara Bible
Nancy Elsberry
Cecilia Cheng
John Scalzi
Tessa Sage Flores
Ally Millar
Kristine Guillermo
Nicole Ryan
Alvin Garcia
Mark NilesIchun Li
Lauren Cogley
Elsa Rojas-Ashe
Gayle Richard
Brian Tillman
Dr. Ryan Pirooz
Janet Merriam
Courtney Kenneally
Jonathan Bray
Marie Maynard
Ann Van Hine
Michelle Tolvo-Chan
Scott Willie
Colleen Begley
Legnini Elizabeth
Anisha Reddy
Jessica Read
Margie and Chester Wauters
Catherine Howley
Beatrice Pierce
Erica Keany
Jon Cluce
Brynn Chernosky
Karen Flitterman
Allison Wood
Gloria Keegan
Neil Schelly
Janet Matricke
Zachary Oden
Kisti Shah
Purvi Patel
Benjamin Blakley
Todd Kulesza
Andrya Smith
Randall Perrier
Rosemary Coluccio
Alenore Cusick
Nancy Weeks
Ebonya Washington
Ed Win Quinones
Kathleen McQuaid
Carrisa Castillo
Noreen Springstead
Brian Sommerville
Raymond Carlucci
Andrew Pearson
Mike Sarnovsky
Betty Coy
Karen Louth
Heath Grossman
Charley Knapp
Jolie Hunt
Malav Doshi
Amy Lemieux
Courtney Coombs
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Michelle Rapp
Katherine Tasheff
Carly Morse
Raymond James Charitable
Rachel Berman
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Dustin Pesquera
Jeffrey Dennis
Suzanne Crandall
Donna Raucher
Elva Berger
Judith Lopez
Farhana Pargac
Jennifer Merriam and Janet Merriam
Ilana Horwitz
Lisa Burke
Melanie Marshall
Friederike Buelow
Steve Nelson
Pamela Burge
Lindsay Diokno
Kimberly Mccleskey
Matthew Brennan
Alice Schindall and Joel Schindall
Jason Fletcher
Louis and Rajani LaRocca
Irma Bideau
Emma Luthi Price
Laura Blasi
Disney Company
Heather Briggs
Fran Brill
Phyllis Lee
Kathleen Stacy*
Dr. Arian Hatefi
Ann Thai
TisBest Philanthropy
Amanda Milleisen
Mr. Irving Faber
Elizabeth Contri Bedell
Wendy Vanderzee
Alice Suzanne Hamilton
Juanita Evans
Timothy A. Robert
Alan Appelbaum
Lawrence Shirley
Ellen Willcox
Michael Clements
Home Maintenance Organization
Linda Cronin
Travis Troyer
Craig Johns
Beth Ellevoid
KarenAnne Townsend
Robert Wilson
Jeffrey P. Hermann
Frances Brill
Andrew Zuchelli
Judith Anderson
Maryann Correll
Pacheco-Wright Building Strong Comm. Fund
Hillary Twining
Lori Semeraro
Heather Wims
Jennifer McClear
Korrine Fraser
Mr. Stephen J. Sweeney
Bright Funds
Phebe Brecher
James Baranowski
Michael Lang
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Willis
Graham and Amanda Butler
Mr. Phillip M. Friedman
Aaron Gaudio and Laura Housley
Jami and Colin Woods
Ronin Wood
Susie & Tim O’Mara
Julie Meadows
M Bode
Christiane Grove
George R. Vartorella
Disruptive Technologies Foundation Inc.
Brucato Family Legacy Fund
Wm. F. Vartorella
Susan Hempstead
Mike Brush
AJ Brush
Sonja Sorbo
Bob Price
Pamela Thalund
Mary W. Josepho
Susan Russell
Robert J. Collins
Nance J. Hikes
Linda M. Banta
Cathie Levine
Brenda Major
Kristin Van Ogtrop & Dean Robinson
Sally and Ronald S. Burns
Spike Lee and Tonya Linnette Lewis
Veronique Pittman
Linda Janklow
Bill Ritter
The World Needs Sesame. And Sesame Needs You
Millions of families look to Sesame Street for whatever their children need to thrive. To sustain that impact for the next generation, we’re counting on your support. Donate to Sesame Workshop to make a difference right now. Because childhood can’t wait.
Donate Today
