Roots Rising
Roots Rising - Pittsfield, MA
www.rootsrising.org
Our mission is to empower youth and build community through food and farming.
Our work is centered around three main programs:
Our Pittsfield Farmers Market was founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, local food. More than just a place to shop, our year-round, teen-run Market is a vital hub for food equity and a vibrant community gathering space.
?Our Youth Crews hire teens to work on farms, in food pantries, and at our Market. These Crews provide teens with the opportunity to engage in meaningful work—work that serves a larger social good. We believe that meaningful work helps youth feel purposeful, capable and connected.
?Our Farm & Education Center nurtures the next generation of food system changemakers while welcoming the community to connect with the land, grow food, and learn alongside us.
"The Finish Line Fund" presented by The Josh Billings RunAground and Mill Town Foundation
The Great Josh Billings RunAground is a cherished Berkshire Tradition that began in 1977. The triathlon brings our community together in the spirit of good natured competition and camaraderie.
Mill Town Foundation has partnered with the Josh Billings RunAground to introduce a charitable fundraising initiative that empowers individual competitors and teams to raise funds for Berkshire- based nonprofits.
This program enhances the Josh’s tradition of community impact by connecting athletic competition with local philanthropy, channeling funds to support Berkshire County nonprofits.
The Finish Line Fund is a peer-to-peer fundraising program that:
- Integrates charitable giving into race registration
- Provides personalized fundraising pages for every participant
- Connects athletes with vetted Berkshire nonprofits
- Distributes 100% of donations directly to chosen organizations
- Celebrates impact alongside athletic achievement
The Great Josh Billings RunAground
Each year, The Josh Billings RunAground, a 501(3)c organization, shares a portion of proceeds generated by registration fees and donations to the Berkshire United Way. This remains unchanged in 2026.
New for 2026, Mill Town Foundation has partnered with The Josh Billings RunAground to offer a community impact initiative titled, "The Finish Line Fund".
Racers choose from many of the Berkshire-based nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to helping the Berkshire communities every day and are deserving of recognition and support.
To learn more about some of these Berkshire nonprofits, please visit their websites OR refer to the Berkshire Nonprofit Center's annual Giving Back Guide at www.npcberkshire.org: