There is no question that the action and entertainment offered each year by Caldwell Night Rodeo is among the best in Idaho, but what many people don’t realize is the tremendous positive impact CNR has on the community, not only for commerce but also as a boon to charitable groups and organizations throughout the area. 

CNR is a nonprofit organization run by a 15-person volunteer board of directors, a full-time sales and marketing manager and a special events coordinator who are all local community members. Additionally, more than 500 volunteers help put on the rodeo every year. Over 100 community, business, and media sponsors also support CNR. This sponsor support is vital to the success of the Caldwell Night Rodeo year after year.

As part of its mission statement, CNR strives to be “one of the premier rodeos in the United States by preserving and promoting Western Heritage for future generations, entertaining the American family, becoming a partner with the community, charities, youth and nonprofit organizations and having year-round community involvement.”

To accomplish that mission, CNR raises thousands of dollars each year for local causes, such as the Boise Rescue Mission, the Western Heritage Scholarship Foundation, the Power of Pink mammogram program, and Hope’s Door through the Man Up Crusade. In 2019, the rodeo gave back over $100,000 to local community groups and charitable organizations.

Since its inception in 2008, CNR’s popular “CNR Strong” Program has generated over $550,000 for local cancer screenings for uninsured and under-insured men and women in the Treasure Valley. CNR’s Patriot Night has raised over $100,000 for local veteran services since beginning in 2010. Aside from monetary support for the Mayor’s Youth Committee and the Youth Forum, the Caldwell Night Rodeo Foundation has awarded over $262,000 in youth scholarships, livestock purchases at Canyon & Owyhee Co. Fairs (4H & FFA) and several other youth activity sponsorships since its inception in 2004.

For five local service groups – Lions Club, Job’s Daughters, Exchange Club, Rotary Club, and Optimist Club – selling concessions during the Caldwell Night Rodeo is their largest fundraiser of the year, raising more than $800,000 since their clubs began selling concessions in 2008.

In addition to the rodeo, CNR hosts a holiday fundraiser, Miracle on Blaine Street, every year at the O’Conner Field House. The funds from admission and auction benefit at least three local nonprofit or community organizations a year. In 2019, proceeds totaling over $35,000 from CNR’s Miracle on Blaine Street event were donated to Shop with A Cop, Treasure Valley YMCA Back to School Backpack Program & the Caldwell Burnout Fund.

But the significance of CNR doesn’t stop there. In a recent study, the City of Caldwell estimated the economic impact of CNR to the local community to be at $10 to $12 million dollars annually.