Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

What it reported doing in 2024

- the 2025 houston livestock show and rodeo welcomed 2.7 million guests over the 23-day event, setting an all-time attendance record. - this year's event included nine first-time entertainers and 10 auction records - total attendance for all activities on the grounds, feb. 27 - march 1 (world's championship bar-b-que contest and feb. 27 - march 23, 2025 (houston livestock show and rodeo) reached a record breaking 2,735,695. - in three days, the world's championship bar-b-que contest entertained 226,463 guests. - rodeohouston awarded $2,533,500 to its contestants in 2025. - rodeo fans gathered on the second floor of the nrg center on sunday, march 9 to celebrate rodeo legend, leon coffee, as he was inducted into the rodeohouston hall of fame. - coffee was named the 2025 hall of fame inductee in october. The rodeohouston hall of fame recognizes individuals and animals for their impact on the success and longevity of the rodeo. - luke bryan was inducted into the star trail of fame, making him the 11th entertainer to be honored with a gold plaque. - horse show competitions drew 5,387 entries. (highest # of entries since 2003) - the livestock show saw 33,142 entries - junior auction sales totaled $29,652,317, a rodeo record. (unaudited preliminary totals). - ten auction grand champion and reserve grand champion lots set rodeo records. -rodeo uncorked! Champion wine auction: $3,269,729 -ranching & wildlife: $530,250 - calf scramble and judging contest winners received 352 certificates, each worth $2,500, to apply toward the purchase of a registered beef heifer or steer to exhibit at the 2025 houston livestock show and rodeo. Certificate premiums totaled $880,000. - calf scramble exhibitors from 2024 who returned with their heifer or steer projects to compete at the 2025 houston livestock show received more than $100,000 total in premiums and awards. - the super scramble competition was added in 2022, where the "first catch" scramblers from each of the previous calf scramble performances were invited to participate in the event sunday, march 23, 2025. The scramblers had an extra chance to catch one of the nine calves during the event, and each participant was awarded a cash prize based on their performance. The event awarded an additional $42,000 in cash prizes for Texas youth. - the rodeo committed $28,058,754 to the youth of Texas in 2025: - $14,718,000 in scholarships to be awarded this summer; - $9,764,100 to junior show exhibitors; - $3,095,554 in educational program grants; and - $481,100 in graduate assistantships the houston livestock show and rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 rodeo is scheduled for march 4 - 23. The 2025 world's championship bar-b-que contest, presented by cotton holdings, is scheduled for feb. 27 - march 1.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 64.8%; rating input score 65
• Program expense ratio: 80.5%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.63 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 98%; rating input score 98; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 19.8%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.08; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.21; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.8%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.8% per year; rating input score 100; 57th percentile among comparable filings