Sesame Workshop is an Accredited Charity of the BBB, which indicates that our organization has met the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Donor Frequently Asked Questions
How can I support the work that Sesame Workshop is doing? There are several ways you can support our work:
Is Sesame Workshop a For-Profit Company? No. Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit, educational 501(c)(3) organization with charitable, tax-exempt status. We use the funding we receive from various sources to develop and produce educational programs and initiatives that help children around the world learn and grow; these projects produce meaningful, measurable, and lasting differences in children's lives. Who Provides Financial Support for Sesame Workshop? We are stepping up our efforts to involve many more individuals in our work. As a mission driven, nonprofit educational organization in a world dominated by large, for-profit media companies, it's important that we maintain the freedom to innovate on behalf of children, without relying on commercially-based revenue. What Does Sesame Workshop Do with the Funding it Receives?The support Sesame Workshop receives from various sources goes toward:
Does Sesame Workshop Make Sesame Street Toys, Videos and Other Products? No. Sesame Workshop grants licenses to a variety of trusted manufacturers who create toys, apparel and other products featuring our characters. Sesame Street books, videos and educational toys enable us to extend the learning beyond the television viewing experience. Other products, such as diapers, pajamas and party supplies, offer a fun way for children and their caregivers to interact with their favorite Sesame Street characters. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these items comes back to the Workshop and is used to support our programs and initiatives around the world. Doesn't Sesame Workshop Get All the Money it Needs from Sesame Street Merchandise? Sesame Workshop receives a portion of the proceeds from licensed manufacturers' sales of Sesame Street toys and other merchandise. While this income does constitute a significant and crucial share of our overall funding, it fluctuates based on the the retail market's demands and the economy's overall health. Even in the best of times, this income only partically covers the cost we incur with our domestic and international work. In addition to Sesame Street, the Workshop has developed and implemented programs that help children learn and grow in countries as widespread as South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. And as we continually expand our efforts to help educate children around the globe, the Workshop seeks to broaden its base of support through individual donors, philanthropic support, and corporate underwriting. How is Sesame Workshop Related to PBS and My Local Public Television Station? Sesame Workshop is an entirely separate and independent organization. The Workshop is the creator of Sesame Street and other popular educational programs which are broadcast on PBS. While PBS provides some funding for those programs, the money received covers only a fraction of our production costs. In keeping with our mission, the Workshop relies on public broadcasting to provide a safe, non-commercial environment for young children and to ensure that all children have access to our educational programming. My Sesame Age Child Has an E-mail Address. Should I Sign Him or Her Up for Sesame Workshop Communications? Sesameworkshop.org is designed to tell adults about the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street. Unless we clearly state otherwise, e-mail communications from the Workshop are intended for adults. How can I remove myself from, or add myself to, your postal mail list? To have your name and address added to or removed from the Sesame Workshop postal mailing list, please email web.contribute@sesameworkshop.org with you request . |