Charity Begins at Home
Coming from humble beginnings, Kip always understood the power of community support. The photo above captures the moment he left rural Kenya to attend college in the United States – a journey made possible by the generosity of his village. From that day he felt a deep commitment to give back to the community that raised him. While he was a student-athlete, Kip would often skip meals at away meets, using his meal stipend to contribute to harambees—fundraisers for school fees, hospital bills, and other financial challenges faced by families in his village.
After serving in the U.S. Army and building a career in healthcare, Kip continued supporting youth education in Kenya but felt a calling to do more. His vision began to take shape in 2013 when he got involved at the lumber mill and learned more about baseball. As Kip grew to love the game, he began to see baseball not just as a sport, but as a powerful vehicle that could empower individuals and unlock untapped potential. With his role as a baseball bat manufacturer, he realized he could use his products and platform to share the game with his community and open new pathways and opportunities for success.
In 2018, Kip and Mindy formalized their commitment by founding the Ticha Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening communities in East Africa and the United States.
TICHA FOUNDATION
TICHA BASEBALL
With momentum and enthusiasm, we are actively working toward our goal of building a strong, sustainable baseball program that empowers young people both on and off the field. In December 2022, we introduced baseball in Kericho County, Kenya, for the very first time. Over 300 youth participated, learning the fundamentals of the game, practicing body mechanics, and having a blast on the field.
Since then, we’ve been building on this exciting start, maintaining a dedicated team that continues to train and practice. While we’ve made significant progress in establishing the foundation for our program, we’re just getting started. Every purchase of a Rutto Bat and/or donation to Ticha, brings us closer to our vision of providing lasting opportunities for youth to grow, thrive, and discover their potential through the sport.
Through Ticha Baseball, we aim to provide youth with:
- Opportunities to develop their athletic skills in a supportive environment.
- Life lessons that go beyond the field, promoting mental toughness, teamwork, and a sense of purpose.
- Exposure to competitive play where they can test their abilities and learn from both success and failure.
TICHA
EDUCATION
Ticha fosters an environment of accountability for youth, their families, and educators, aiming to strengthen and sustain student enrollment among the most vulnerable. Through a combination of mentorship, counseling, and guidance, Ticha connects students with the resources they need to thrive and reach their full potential throughout their academic journey.
“HELPING ONE CHILD GO THROUGH SCHOOL CAN PROVIDE THE HOPE AND MOTIVATION NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF A WHOLE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.”
-Kip Rutto
Owner/Founder, Rutto Bats & Ticha Foundation
TICHA COMMUNITY WELFARE
Healthy families and communities are the foundation of youth success. Ticha recognizes the importance of addressing and supporting the needs of the local community to ensure that young people grow in an environment that nurtures their confidence, creativity, and the development of the skills needed to excel in academics, sports, and beyond. In addition to its youth programs and support services, Ticha also contributes to community events and responds to emergencies, stepping in during times of unique need.