Pocatello, Idaho – January 14, 2025
Ben Davidson, founder and CEO of Entrepreneurs Against Poverty (Entrapov), will be recognized for his extraordinary humanitarian efforts by Rotary District 5400 Foundation Chair Ben Nelson at a special ceremony at the Juniper Hills Country Club in Pocatello, Idaho, on April 10, 2025 at noon.
Each year, Rotary International invites clubs and districts worldwide to nominate individuals for The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service Award. This is the highest service recognition given by the Rotary Foundation. This honor celebrates outstanding contributions to humanitarian efforts, with only a select few recipients chosen annually by The Rotary International Foundation.
Davidson was selected for this distinction due to his unwavering dedication to alleviating poverty through innovative entrepreneurship. As a Pocatello Rotary Club member and the visionary behind Entrapov, a non-profit organization empowering underserved communities, Davidson has exemplified Rotary’s core value of “Service Above Self.”
“Rotary Clubs eager to sponsor international service projects often find the process daunting and expensive,” explains Past District Governor Rich Kirkham (2019–2020). “There are significant barriers, including identifying trusted partners in regions like Africa, ensuring projects meet Rotary’s qualifications, and navigating the complexities of securely wiring funds. As a result, smaller clubs with limited budgets often focus on local initiatives, which are valuable but miss the chance to empower people globally to achieve self-reliance and lift themselves out of poverty.”
For as little as $1,000, Rotary clubs can sponsor a deserving entrepreneur in Africa, where access to capital is scarce and prohibitively expensive. Entrapov offers a free, 12-week self-reliance business course for individuals with innovative ideas, preparing them to pitch their projects directly to U.S. Rotary clubs.
At the end of the program, participants present their business ideas live through a Zoom-like platform in an engaging format reminiscent of Shark Tank. Entrapov calls this initiative Shark Pond to reflect its supportive and welcoming environment, where donors and entrepreneurs connect face-to-face. The program not only provides funding but also fosters lifelong friendships across continents, bridging cultural divides and transforming lives.
For more information about the award presentation or Entrapov’s impactful work, please contact Past District Governor Ben Nelson at ben.nelson.rotary@gmail.com.
