GABRIEL KALLA PROVIDES A STATEMENT REGARDING THE KALLA FOUNDATION RESILIENCE SCHOLARSHIP

JANUARY 18, 2026 BY STAFF

Frankfort, Ky. (January 18, 2026) — Gabriel Kalla answers questions to provide clarity on the Kalla Foundation Resilience Scholarship.

“We’ve had a fantastic start to the new year,” shares Gabriel Kalla, president of the Kalla Foundation. I’ve personally spoken with the leadership of several high schools across Central Kentucky, and our team has participated in interviews with various local newspapers and on television to raise awareness about our mission and story—which is something we are really excited to share. It’s rare to see such an organization made up of guys in their early 20s committed to serving the public and addressing real needs in their community. We’ve often been called ‘anomalies’ because of this, and we’re determined to live up to the incredible support and enthusiasm we’ve received thus far.”

“It’s important to remember that we’re all students, each on the cusp of beginning our careers and celebrating our own graduations. Every member of our board is a brother from the same fraternity at the same college, and none of us could have imagined the incredible response we’ve received. For us, the Kalla Foundation began as a project and never as a full-time position, but as a way to make a direct, positive impact on our communities. We aren’t disaster relief experts; we simply recognized a growing need and came together to help.”

“That being said, however, there have been a lot of questions circulating regarding the relevance of a scholarship for disaster relief. It’s my hope that I’ll be able to answer some of these questions today and provide context as to how this scholarship actually came into existence.”

“Graduating from high school is a major milestone, but navigating the next steps such as choosing a college, finding a part-time job, or even finding the right scholarship can be overwhelming. At the Kalla Foundation, we understand these challenges, having all graduated from high school within the past six years. That’s why we’re committed to easing this burden for the next generation of students by offering opportunities we wish we’d had ourselves.”

“This scholarship is special because, unlike a normal one offered by a public or private organization, ours goes beyond simply awarding money. In addition to providing what we believe is a meaningful amount, we also offer students valuable, real experience to help them develop skills they can use in the classroom and, ultimately, in the public sector—whether through volunteering or by entering into the workforce. Let me be clear, this isn’t an internship. Rather, it’s a learning requirement—an opportunity shaped by the student’s own drive and ideas. Additionally, while the scholarship may not have a direct link to disaster relief, we view it as an investment in students who, over time, will use the skills and inspiration they gain to serve their communities—especially in times of crisis and throughout their future careers in public service.”

“We understand that with a $750 scholarship and limited time, students may not achieve groundbreaking results, and that’s entirely okay. Our goal is for this program to be a meaningful addition to the students’ lives, just as this foundation is to ours. By engaging in basic research similar to what they’ll encounter in college—but with a direct focus on improving disaster relief—recipients will have the opportunity to make a real impact. Their insights won’t just end with their projects; they’ll help guide our future programs, and those who complete their research will have an ongoing voice in our work. Once finalized, this research will be shared on our website and social media, helping to connect their efforts with the wider community.”

“At the Kalla Foundation, we believe education is a catalyst for positive change, which is why it’s our first program. We look forward to sharing our recipients’ contributions and learning together as we move forward. If you’d like to learn more or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@kallafdn.org.”

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The Kalla Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. To learn more, please visit https://kallafdn.org.