2016-05-13T16:42:26-05:00 2015-06-30 GRANT THORNTON LLP 757 THIRD AVE 2ND FLOOR NEW YORK NY 100172013 990 2014-07-01 208783702 The Joan Ganz Cooney Center for Educational Media and Research Inc % DARYL MINTZ/SESAME WORKSHOP JOAN One Lincoln Plaza New York NY 10023 DARYL MINTZ Treasurer 2125990100 2016-05-12 true Scott Thompsett P00741490 2125990100 2014 2016-08-17 19:52:53Z MICHAEL LEVINE One Lincoln Plaza New York NY 10023 1372691 false X www.joanganzcooneycenter.org X 2007 DE the mission of the center is to catalyze and support research, innovation and investment in digital media technologies to advance children's learning. 3 2 0 0 -4 -2504 1165011 1367508 0 0 0 5183 10363 0 1175374 1372691 142972 0 0 0 1291359 1401277 0 0 14281 822042 955682 2256373 2356959 -1080999 -984268 19201227 18099159 2790778 2553745 16410449 15545414 X THE COONEY CENTER IS AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LAB THAT CATALYZES AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES TO ADVANCE CHILDREN'S LEARNING. THE FOCUS OF THE COONEY CENTER IS ON LITERACY DEVELOPMENT FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS. PROGRAMS ADDRESS VITAL FOUNDATIONAL CAPABILITIES, SUCH AS READING AND WRITING, WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON STRUGGLING READERS WHO RISK EDUCATIONAL FAILURE IF THEY DO NOT MASTER BASIC COMPETENCIES BY GRADE 4. THE COONEY CENTER IS ALSO FOCUSING NATIONAL ATTENTION ON EVOLVING "NEW LITERACIES" THAT CHILDREN NEED TO COMPETE AND COOPERATE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. MAJOR INITIATIVES FOCUS ON INTER-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, MEDIA LITERACY, AND ADVANCING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) LEARNING -- ALL OF WHICH HAVE BECOME CRITICAL IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD. false false 717804 Research: a. Cooney Center Fellows Program: Three fellows were funded to conduct independent research, help form university partnerships and support the center's research and public dissemination pursuits. b. Field Research: The research program focused on various mission-related topics, including a study of literacy apps in Apple iTunes and Google Play Story platforms and a National Science Foundation supported study on the role of digital games and STEM competencies. Research also included two national surveys of parents: one focused on their children's educational media use, the other on digital equity (i.e., internet connectivity) in low-income households and US school districts. A third national survey focused on how educators are using digital games in their classrooms. Researchers in a national consortium organized by the Center conducted a series of ethnographic studies on the ways families interact with and around media at home, in schools and in community settings with a focus in particular on Hispanic-Latino families. The field study sites included San Francisco, New York City, Phoenix, Chula Vista, Denver and Chicago and included subjects from different countries of origin including Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. The Center published seven research papers reporting on findings from the field research, as well as a casebook and design guide on producing media for diverse families. Finally, the Center published a guide for parents on how to use apps with children to enhance learning and family engagement. 269176 Thought Leader and Expert Convenings: The Center convened multi-disciplinary experts to discuss pressing topics around digital media and innovations in learning for children. Four convenings were organized, including a national forum on educational media use at home, an ongoing research network on low/income Hispanic-Latino families and their use of digital technologies, a policy forum on the future of early literacy development and a national convening on the use of digital games for teaching and learning. 807529 Dissemination of research, best practices and policy to influence the field. The Center used two websites and syndication arrangements with other communications channels to disseminate research on digital technology innovations for children. The Center staff completed research for a book on early literacy development to be distributed by a major publisher in fall 2015. Video and written research content and guides for educators appear free-of-charge on our websites, YouTube channel, Facebook pages, Twitter and through live webcasts of major events. Speaking engagements: The Center has presented its research and publications at various conferences nationally across various sectors. Over twenty-five presentations were delivered this year. Audiences included leaders at conferences such as SXSWedu, The Campaign for Grade Level Reading, The White House Summit on Early Learning, LEGO Ideas Conference, New America Foundation, National Science Foundation, The Aspen Institute, The National Research Council, and other academic, industry and research conference. 1794509 true true false false false false false false false false false true false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true 0 0 0 true true false false false false false false false false false X 3 2 false false false false true true true true true false false true true true true true true true false NY X X DARYL MINTZSESAME WORKSHOP 2128756827 ONE LINCOLN PLAZA New York NY 10023 X JOAN GANZ COONEY director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 LlOYD MORRISETT director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 H MELVIN MING DIRECTOR through (09/28/14) 2.0 50.0 X 0 541829 44714 JEFFREY DUNN DIRECTOR as of (09/29/14) 2.0 50.0 X 0 141196 5621 MICHAEL LEVINE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 50.0 0.0 X 246481 0 41849 MYUNG KANG - HUNEKE SECRETARY (thru 5/15/15) 2.0 50.0 X 0 335067 30642 DARYL MINTZ TREASURER 0.0 50.0 X 0 316137 56540 Joseph Salvo secretary as of (5/27/15) 2.0 50.0 X 0 0 0 246481 1334229 179366 1 false true false 0 95300 1272208 1367508 0 5183 -4 5187 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1372691 -4 5187 0 0 0 0 285629 204310 67038 14281 0 881365 661024 220341 0 213888 160416 53472 20395 15296 5099 100871 75653 25218 365 274 91 0 0 0 0 526278 394708 131570 189 189 11709 11709 131739 131739 0 123248 92436 30812 54769 41077 13692 0 2344 1758 586 0 0 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES 4170 3920 250 2356959 1794509 548169 14281 0 0 479922 690820 1022067 517552 14471 6607 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1079564 169180 16605203 16715000 0 0 0 0 0 0 19201227 18099159 90771 55009 0 0 2357 16853 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2697650 2481883 2790778 2553745 X 15006636 14255175 1403813 1290239 0 0 16410449 15545414 19201227 18099159 -984268 119233 X false true X true false X 881337 4856472 2345199 1165011 1367508 10615527 0 0 881337 4856472 2345199 1165011 1367508 10615527 3214809 7400718 1272 1180 393 5183 8028 22059 114936 10363 147358 0 10770913 332276 0.68710 0.74112 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENTS 16715000 F 16715000 0 INTERCOMPANY PAYABLE 2481883 2481883 X FIN 48 FOOTNOTE - ASC 740: INCOME TAXES The Company follows guidance that clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, including issues relating to financial statement recognition and measurement. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if the position is " more-likely-than-not " to be sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged. The Company is exempt from income tax under IRC section 501(c)(3), though it is subject to tax on income unrelated to its exempt purpose, unless that income is otherwise excluded by the Code. The Company has processes presently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status: to identify and report unrelated income; to determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it was nexus; and to identify and evaluate other matters that may be considered tax positions. The tax years ending June 30, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are still open to audit for both federal and state purposes. The Company has determined that there are no material uncertain tax positions that require recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. false false false false false false false true false MICHAEL LEVINE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 233496 0 12000 0 985 0 19420 0 22429 0 288330 0 0 0 MYUNG KANG - HUNEKE SECRETARY (thru 5/15/15) 0 310940 0 23650 0 477 0 26000 0 4642 0 365709 0 0 DARYL MINTZ TREASURER 0 293337 0 22500 0 300 0 25000 0 31540 0 372677 0 0 H MELVIN MING DIRECTOR through (09/28/14) 0 412627 0 37500 0 91702 0 26000 0 18714 0 586543 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 the executive director participates in a targeted incentive program of sesame workshop, its parent organization. the target incentive compensation amount for each employee is based on a combination of job level, individual performance, departmental performance and company performance. the board of trustees of the joan ganz cooney center determines whether incentive compensation payments will be made for a given year and the total amount available for incentive compensation. PART II compensation listed for h. melvin ming, myung kang - huneke and daryl mintz represents compensation received from sesame workshop, the parent organization, for their role as officers of sesame workshop. Compensation for the Executive Director, Michael Levine, as well as other EMPLOYEES, is paid by Sesame Workshop for services rendered TO the Joan Ganz Cooney Center for Educational Media and Research, Inc. ("JGC") Accordingly, the organization has reported Michael Levine's compensation as having been paid by JGC on Part VII and Schedule J. Part III, Line 1 The Joan Ganz Cooney Center delegates certain management functions to Sesame Workshop, a related entity. Part VI, Section A Line 7a and 7b Sesame workshop is the sole member of the organization. it has the right to elect or remove directors as well as approve any amendments to the bylaws of the organization. PART VI SECTION B, LINE 11b The form 990 is prepared and reviewed by Sesame Workshop's internal finance department. A secondary review is done by the General Counsel, Independent Accountants and Executive Officers. Subsequently, the 990 is circulated to the Board of directors for review and comment. PART VI SECTION B, LINE 15b The executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center was hired in April 2007 at the Center's inception. Compensation at that time was established based on comparable market rates. Beginning in tax year 2009, the executive director's compensation is reviewed annually by an independent compensation consultant and presented to the Board of Directors for approval based on comparable market data. The Center's last study was conducted in 2014. compensation of other officers officers other than the executive director are compensated by sesame workshop, the parent organization. PART VI SECTION C, LINE 19 the joan ganz cooney's form 990 is available on its website (http://joanganzcooneycenter.org) and on the internet at www.guidestar.org. A full copy of the consolidated audited financial statements of Sesame WOrkshop which include the joan ganz cooney center are available upon request from the office of the cfo of sesame workshop. the joan ganz cooney's governing documents and conflict of interest policy are available upon written request. PArT VI SECTION B, LINE 12c All directors and officers are required to review the Conflict of Interest policy annually, and disclose any real or potential conflict of interest in response to a Conflict of Interest Questionnaire. The completed questionnaires are reviewed by the General Counsel/Secretary to the Board. In the event of a real or potential conflict,the Board and the General Counsel/Secretary shall enforce the Conflict of Interest Policy's requirement of recusal from participating in any deliberations and decisions relevant to the disclosures. FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:CONSULTANTS TOTAL FEES:526278 sesame workshop one lincoln plaza new york NY 10023 132655731 edu.media NY 501(c)(3) 7 na false sesame street inc one lincoln plaza new york NY 10023 132677928 title holding DE 501(c)(2) sesame works false the electric company one lincoln plaza new york NY 10023 132722079 title holding DE 501(c)(2) sesame works false galli galli sim sim educational initiati c/o s banerjee/e-1a kailash new delhi IN edu. media IN na false ctw communications inc one lincoln plaza new york NY 10023 132422089 holding DE sesame workshop c corp. 0 0 false sesame workshop initiatives (india) plc 4a pal mohan bhawan 110005 new delhi IN educat. media IN sesame workshop 0 0 false false false false false false false false false false false false true true true true false false false Sesame Workshop P 2127027 cost