Tucson Rodeo Foundation
Press Information
TRF History
The Tucson Rodeo Foundation, Inc. (“TRF”) was incorporated in February 2022 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations made to TRF are tax deductible under IRC Section 170. The Tucson Rodeo Foundation aids the youth of Southern Arizona through building community
partnerships to create scholarships, grants, loan programs, assisting in youth livestock auctions, and junior rodeos.
TRF has partnered with Glenn and Susan Dabbs to develop the Dabbs Scholarship Fund to aid youth in their continuing educational pursuits in agriculture and veterinary medicine. TRF is currently working with the Pima County 4-H and their rabbit program and will be working with the local chapters of the FFA. TRF was a buyer at the 2024 Pima County Fair including buying the Grand Champion Lamb.
Contact Information
TUCSON RODEO FOUNDATION
4823 South 6 th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85714
Contact Person – Butch Kreitemeyer
Contact Person – Candace Staar
Email – tu*******************@gm***.com
Website – https://tucsonrodeofoundation.org/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tucsonrodeofoundation/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tucsonrodeofoundation/
Butch has volunteered with the Tucson Rodeo for over 40 years. He served on the Tucson Rodeo Committee board of directors for 4 years and has served on many rodeo subcommittees during his tenure. The Tucson Rodeo Foundation was created while he served on the rodeo board. After a 40+ year career in finance, banking, and consulting he retired and is spending much of his life on foundation and rodeo related activities. He is the proud father of 4 adult children and 13 grandchildren. The Krietemeyer family are all fans of the University of Arizona and its sports programs. He can be found in the Candrea seats during all home softball games. He has been around rodeo all his life as a competitor and volunteer. Junior rodeo, 4-H, FFA, and ranching were all part of his growing up in Southern Arizona.
Walt is a native Arizonian raised on a cattle ranch in Southern AZ. He has been involved with the Tucson Rodeo as a contestant, a volunteer and a member of the Tucson Rodeo Committee. Walt has been worked in agricultural youth activities since 2008 and has served as a board member of many agricultural industry organizations. Walt enjoys traveling, golf and tennis.
Debbie is a 30-year member of the Tucson Rodeo Committee and was the first female Chairman of the Tucson Rodeo. She has been volunteering at the rodeo since 1980. She is an avid Arizona Wildcat, loves to travel, and spend time with her grandsons whenever she can.
Candace is an Associate Member on The Tucson Rodeo Committee and a volunteer at the Rodeo for 12 years after retiring from the University of Arizona Emergency Medicine Department. She also volunteers in The White Mountains promoting the local music community and helping with fundraising efforts for The White Mountain Safehouse. The remainder of Candace’s time is spent dancing with her husband, cooking and gardening.
Christina is an Arizona native, and a new member to the Tucson Rodeo Foundation Board. She is married with 3 children, and her family is involved in the local 4-H and FFA. Christina also volunteers her time to Tucson Chicks N Chaps, where she is currently the Vice Chair. On her off time, she enjoys time with her family, livestock animals and love for Disneyland.
2024 TRF Donation Recipients
The University of Arizona Rodeo Club
Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee, Inc.
Desert View High School Softball
Desert View High School Baseball
Tucson Royals Softball Team
St. Kateri Mission
AZ Cats Softball Team
4-H Horse Advisory Board
The Justin Cowboy Crisis Foundation
Pima County 4H
FFA Local Chapters
Tucson Rodeo Ambassadors “Love of Reading” Program
The Tucson Rodeo Foundation (TRF) recently donated 11 boxes of books to The Tucson Rodeo with more to follow.
Thanks to a unique partnership between TRF and the Friends of the Pima County Public Library, hundreds of books will find new homes with the Tucson Rodeo’s “Love of Reading Program” and with teachers and students attending “Ted Walker Days” held at Old Tucson Studios. Michael Davis, Committee Chair Tucson Rodeo’s Ambassador / Ticketing Committee and Charlene Johnston, Ambassador and creator of the Tucson Rodeo’s “Love of Reading Program” accepted the donation.
Penny Moreno, Board President for the Friends of the Library and a volunteer at the Tucson Rodeo, connected with Candace Staar, a Director at TRF and an Associate Committee Member with The Tucson Rodeo, to create this opportunity.
Each month, the Foundation “shops” the Friends’ shelves for free, bringing quality books to their beneficiaries and promoting literacy throughout our community. This collaboration not only provides valuable resources but also inspires our youth to dream big and pursue their passions. This fits with both the mission statement that TRF has for Southern Arizona youth and The Tucson Rodeo’s goal to give back to the community.
For further information please contact Butch Krietmeyer at pr**********@gm***.com or 602-999-1940.
Rules of Logo Usage
1. The TRF logo is precisely proportioned. The size and position relationship between the symbol and logotype must remain intact.
2. The TRF logo’s shape, proportion, color and orientation must not be altered in any way.
3. Clear space must surround the TRF logo on all sides in such a way that no type, design, or photographic elements encroach on the logo.”
