Nonprofit · EIN 20-8783702
JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC
Tax-exempt · NEW YORK, NY 10023
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $2,838,885 | $2,885,518 | -$46,633 | $34,455,327 | $6,696,630 | $27,758,697 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $791,763 | $1,979,234 | -$1,187,471 | $30,156,696 | $5,397,574 | $24,759,122 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $1,504,764 | $2,318,677 | -$813,913 | $28,086,018 | $5,836,575 | $22,249,443 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,535,030
- Program service revenue
- $974,713
- Investment income
- $329,142
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $326,237
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $467,895
- Other salaries and wages
- $553,841
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,219,235
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $232,289
- Travel
- $93,099
- Program services (functional)
- $2,173,665
- Management and general (functional)
- $529,422
- Fundraising (functional)
- $182,431
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $30,156,696
- Total assets, end of year
- $34,455,327
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $6,696,630
- Net assets, end of year
- $27,758,697
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,214,494
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $27,758,697
- Gross receipts
- $6,151,953
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 2007
- State of legal domicile
- DE
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHERRIE ROLLINS WESTIN | CEO/PRESIDENT OF SESAME WORKSHOP Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $1,099,259 | $37,006 |
| STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD | FORMER DIRECTOR Former | 0 | $0 | $751,982 | $9,059 |
| VALERIE MITCHELL-JOHNSTON | SECRETARY Officer | 1 | $0 | $436,625 | $113,401 |
| BRETT ROBINSON | TREASURER/CFO OF SESAME WORKSHOP Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $493,087 | $36,258 |
| MICHAEL PRESTON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JGC CENTER Officer | 50 | $0 | $348,998 | $108,129 |
| MEDHA TARE | SR. DIRECTOR, RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 50 | $0 | $189,716 | $24,361 |
| JANET WOLF | OFFICE MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 50 | $0 | $109,996 | $29,024 |
| DAVID BYER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN GANZ COONEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ESTEBAN SOSNIK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| HINA TALIB | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN WARTELLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD | DIRECTOR (THRU 02/2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $1,025,307 | $40,987 |
| SHERRIE ROLLINS WESTIN | CEO/PRESIDENT OF SESAME WORKSHOP Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $858,697 | $35,987 |
| BRETT ROBINSON | TREASURER/CFO OF SESAME WORKSHOP Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $449,850 | $67,655 |
| VALERIE MITCHELL-JOHNSTON | SECRETARY (AS OF 7/2023) Officer | 1 | $0 | $393,581 | $102,918 |
| MICHAEL PRESTON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JGC CENTER Officer | 50 | $0 | $340,805 | $98,260 |
| JOSEPH SALVO | FORMER DIRECTOR Former | 0 | $0 | $312,288 | $36,016 |
| MICHAEL LEVINE | DIRECTOR (THRU 11/2023) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID BYER | DIRECTOR (AS OF 11/2/2023) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN GANZ COONEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ESTEBAN SOSNIK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| HINA TALIB | DIRECTOR (AS OF 11/2/2023) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN WARTELLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD | DIRECTOR/CEO (THRU 2/6/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $1,022,143 | $38,339 |
| SHERRIE ROLLINS WESTIN | CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT SESAME WORKSHOP Trustee or director, Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $864,748 | $33,273 |
| JOSEPH SALVO | SECRETARY Officer | 2 | $0 | $521,954 | $60,964 |
| MICHAEL PRESTON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JGC CENTER Officer | 50 | $0 | $346,196 | $86,649 |
| KAREN HAYNES-BLAKE | TREASURER (THRU 11/3/22) Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $228,084 | $57,201 |
| BRETT ROBINSON | TREASURER (AS OF 11/3/22) Officer | 0.5 | $0 | $95,316 | $10,710 |
| JOAN GANZ COONEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL LEVINE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| LLOYD MORRISETT | DIRECTOR (THRU 1/15/23) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ESTEBAN SOSNIK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ELLEN WARTELLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1900 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10023-7004
- In care of
- % DARYL MINTZ/SESAME WORKSHOP
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- MICHAEL PRESTON, 1900 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10023
- Signed the 990
- BRETT ROBINSON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
- Phone
- (212) 595-3456
- Website
- WWW.JOANGANZCOONEYCENTER.ORG
- Return prepared by
- GRANT THORNTON ADVISORS LLC
Mission
NAMED FOR THE CO-FOUNDER AND VISIONARY BEHIND SESAME STREET, THE JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER IS AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LAB WITHIN SESAME WORKSHOP THAT ADVANCES POSITIVE FUTURES FOR KIDS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD. WE CONDUCT RESEARCH (SEE SCHEDULE O)ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND COLLABORATE WITH TECHNOLOGISTS, DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCERS, AND EDUCATORS TO PUT THIS RESEARCH INTO ACTION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND WELL-BEING. WE FACILITATE AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF RESEARCHERS AND PARTNER WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES, ELEVATING THEIR VOICES IN OUR RESEARCH AND ENGAGING THEM IN CO-DESIGNING DIGITAL MEDIA EXPERIENCES. WE ALSO WORK DIRECTLY WITH POLICY MAKERS AND INVESTORS TO DRIVE NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS AND DECISIONS THAT HELP CHILDREN THRIVE WITHIN OUR DIGITAL WORLD.
Program accomplishments
- DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER (JGCC) ADVANCED ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN OF DIGITAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY THAT PROMOTE CHILDREN'S LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND WELL-BEING. THE CENTER CARRIED OUT RESEARCH, DESIGN-BASED INITIATIVES, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAMS, AND FIELD-BUILDING ACTIVITIES THAT TRANSLATED EVIDENCE FROM CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING SCIENCES INTO PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WORKING IN CHILDREN'S DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS.(SEE SCHEDULE O)THE CENTER'S WORK DURING THE YEAR FOCUSED ON LITERACY INNOVATION, RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY DESIGN, AND PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING, WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.MAJOR INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS:SANDBOX FOR LITERACY INNOVATIONSTHE SANDBOX FOR LITERACY INNOVATION SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN BY INTEGRATING RESEARCH ON LITERACY DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATORY DESIGN PRACTICES INTO PRODUCT DESIGN AND TESTING PROCESSES. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, THE CENTER PARTNERED WITH DIGITAL MEDIA AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH EXPERTISE, FACILITATE CO-DESIGN ACTIVITIES WITH CHILDREN, AND CONDUCT FORMATIVE EVALUATIONS OF PRODUCT CONCEPTS AND PROTOTYPES.DURING FY25, SANDBOX PROJECTS ADDRESSED A RANGE OF LITERACY-RELATED TOPICS, INCLUDING EARLY READING, WRITING, AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, AND INCLUDED WORK WITH EMERGING DIGITAL TOOLS SUCH AS AI-ENABLED LEARNING APPLICATIONS. THE CENTER'S STAFF PROVIDED GUIDANCE ON ALIGNING PRODUCT FEATURES WITH EVIDENCE-BASED LITERACY PRACTICES AND SUPPORTED ITERATIVE REFINEMENT BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM CHILDREN AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.THE SANDBOX CONTINUED TO BE SUPPORTED BY PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING, INCLUDING A MULTI-YEAR INVESTMENT FROM THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION. THIS SUPPORT ENABLED THE CENTER TO EXPAND ITS CAPACITY TO WORK WITH PRODUCT TEAMS AND TO DOCUMENT AND SHARE LESSONS LEARNED FROM APPLIED RESEARCH AND CO-DESIGN ACTIVITIES.RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY FOR CHILDREN (RITEC) AND DIGITAL WELL-BEINGIN FY25, THE CENTER CONTINUED ITS PARTICIPATION AS THE U.S.-BASED PARTNER IN THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY FOR CHILDREN (RITEC) INITIATIVE, AN INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION FOCUSED ON UNDERSTANDING HOW DIGITAL PRODUCTS AFFECT CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING. THE CENTER CONTRIBUTED TO RESEARCH DISSEMINATION, DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED RESOURCES, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS SEEKING TO APPLY CHILD-CENTERED DESIGN FRAMEWORKS.THE CENTER SUPPORTED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP COMPANIES INTERPRET RESEARCH FINDINGS AND INCORPORATE WELL-BEING CONSIDERATIONS INTO PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESSES. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED WORKSHOPS, CONVENINGS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE INVOLVING RESEARCHERS, DESIGNERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN CHILDREN'S DIGITAL PLAY AND MEDIA.THROUGH THIS WORK, THE CENTER ADVANCED ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE BY SUPPORTING THE RESPONSIBLE DESIGN OF DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND INCREASING ACCESS TO RESEARCH-BASED GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS.WELL-BEING BY DESIGN FELLOWSHIPTHE WELL-BEING BY DESIGN (WBXD) FELLOWSHIP PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN CHILDREN'S MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY. THE FELLOWSHIP OFFERED A STRUCTURED PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED WITH RESEARCH ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING AND APPLIED THESE CONCEPTS TO PROJECTS THEY WERE ACTIVELY DEVELOPING.DURING FY25, FELLOWS PARTICIPATED IN WORKSHOPS, PEER LEARNING SESSIONS, AND DESIGN REVIEWS, INCLUDING FEEDBACK SESSIONS INVOLVING A YOUTH DESIGN TEAM. THE FELLOWSHIP EMPHASIZED EARLY-STAGE DESIGN DECISIONS AND ENCOURAGED PARTICIPANTS TO CONSIDER CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.THE CENTER CONTINUED TO REFINE THE FELLOWSHIP MODEL BASED ON PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK AND OUTCOMES, WITH SUPPORT FROM PHILANTHROPIC AND CORPORATE FUNDERS. THE PROGRAM CONTRIBUTED TO THE CENTER'S MISSION BY STRENGTHENING PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY AND PROMOTING RESEARCH-INFORMED DESIGN PRACTICES WITHIN THE FIELD.CHILDREN AND AI FUTURESDURING FY25, THE CENTER UNDERTOOK EXPLORATORY RESEARCH RELATED TO THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESIGNED FOR OR USED BY CHILDREN. THIS WORK INCLUDED INTERVIEWS WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, REVIEW OF EMERGING APPLICATIONS, AND IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH AND DESIGN QUESTIONS RELATED TO CHILDREN'S LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND WELL-BEING.THE PURPOSE OF THIS WORK WAS TO INFORM FUTURE RESEARCH, GUIDANCE, AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND TO ENSURE THAT CONSIDERATIONS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT REMAIN CENTRAL AS NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE INTRODUCED.FIELD-BUILDING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTTHE CENTER ENGAGED IN A RANGE OF FIELD-BUILDING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DURING FY25. STAFF PARTICIPATED IN CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND MEETINGS WITH RESEARCHERS, INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, FUNDERS, AND POLICYMAKERS TO SHARE FINDINGS AND DISCUSS RESEARCH-INFORMED APPROACHES TO DESIGNING DIGITAL PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN.THE CENTER PRODUCED AND DISSEMINATED PUBLICATIONS, BLOG POSTS, AND OTHER RESOURCES INTENDED TO MAKE RESEARCH ACCESSIBLE TO PRACTITIONERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THESE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORTED THE CENTER'S EDUCATIONAL MISSION BY INCREASING AWARENESS OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND ENCOURAGING INFORMED DECISION-MAKING RELATED TO CHILDREN'S DIGITAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY.Expenses $2,173,665 · revenue $974,713
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 20-8783702
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2007
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B90)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $34,455,327
- Income (IRS master file)
- $6,151,953
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $2,838,885 | $2,885,518 | $34,455,327 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $791,763 | $1,979,234 | $30,156,696 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $1,504,764 | $2,318,677 | $28,086,018 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $1,074,474 | $1,766,045 | $26,282,482 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 20-8783702).
Questions about JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC
- What is the EIN of JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC is 20-8783702.
- Is JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2007.
- Are donations to JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names MICHAEL PRESTON.
- Who are the officers and directors of JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 12 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOREDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND RESEARCH INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,838,885, expenses of $2,885,518 and total assets of $34,455,327 at year end.
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