× Find information regarding COVID-19. LIVE WORK EXPLORE GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS ABOUT ALLEGHENY COUNTY MUSIC FESTIVAL FUND Emergency Contacts Careers Detailed DHS How Do I? Doing Business Prev Next HOW DO I... SEE MORE MY ALLEGHENY SAVE PAGE Government Health and Human Services Human Services News and Events Events Allegheny County Music Festival Fund About the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund (ACMFF) was established in 2000 by then-Family Court Judge Max Baer and DHS Director Marc Cherna, to aid children and youth receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The fund creates a resource that pays for life-enriching opportunities and items that are not otherwise available through traditional government funding. The ACMFF is totally dependent upon the generosity of county residents. For the first eight years, it was replenished using proceeds from a single, annual music concert, the Allegheny County Music Festival, hosted by Allegheny County at Hartwood Acres Park. One of a generally free series of summer outdoor concerts, this special event suggests a donation-per-vehicle. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle are also added to the fund. Headline performers are chosen in cooperation with the Allegheny County Special Events Office. Beginning in 2008, an additional fund raiser was added, necessitated by the popularity of the fund among providers and children. Candidates' Comedy Night features candidates for national, state and local political offices taking the stage to perform for the gathered contributors. The dissemination of ACMFF funds is overseen by the independent ACMFF Advisory Committee chaired by former DHS Director Marc Cherna. The committee consists of professionals from the public and private sectors of child welfare, juvenile justice, human services and the courts. Each member is knowledgeable and passionate about children's issues. Requests are submitted by a social services professional working with a child. This professional may work for DHS, a DHS-contracted provider of services for children and families or the juvenile justice system. Each request is reviewed individually on its merits by the Advisory Committee and is granted in full, granted in part or denied. Factors, such as family composition, income and the number of children living in the household, are considered. Committee members include Marc Cherna, Chairperson, Karen Blumen, Russel Carlino, Aurelia Carter, Scott Hollander, Michele Makray, George Owens, Kaiona Perry, James Rieland, Gary Scheimer and Cynthia Stoltz. In 2012, the Music Festival Fund was honored as a "Bright Idea" by Harvard University's Ash Center for Democratic Governance & Innovation. Benefits for Children and Youth The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund has benefited thousands of children and youth by purchasing a wide variety of items and opportunities including: A week of "live-in" summer camp for at-risk young persons to allow them to engage in healthy activities outside their neighborhood. Lessons in dance, karate and music, and other positive outlets for self-expression for a child who is living in a homeless shelter with his or her mother to escape domestic violence. The opportunity for a child receiving mental health services to spend quality time with his or her family at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium or the National Aviary. The opportunity for a young man or woman, transitioning into adulthood, to attend a college tour and set the course for his or her future. Monetary Donations Please consider donating to the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund to provide life-enriching items and opportunities to at-risk children in Allegheny County. Checks can be made out to Allegheny County Music Festival Fund One Smithfield Street, First Floor, OEE Pittsburgh, PA 15222 How to use the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund For providers of human services for children. Learn more ALLEGHENY COUNTY MUSIC FESTIVAL Allegheny County Music Festival Fund Using the ACMFF Other Events Day of Self-discovery Local Government Case Competition Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service Public awareness campaigns/events Archive of past DHS/OEE events and programs Allegheny County Contact Us Mobile and Online Apps Accessibility Quick Links Residents Businesses Visitors Government Open Records Careers Videos Parks Court Records Health Human Services Jail Real Estate All County Departments Follow Us MORE SOCIAL MEDIA Sign-up for email or text alerts > Disclaimers and Privacy Notice © Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.