HARMONY — For the third time in two years, Historic Harmony has received an anonymous grant and has been challenged to raise matching funds through donations from the community.

The organization received an $11,000 unsolicited grant from a Butler-county based organization that has chosen to remain anonymous, said John Ruch, president of Historic Harmony.

Last year the historical organization received two grants from the same donor: one for $5,000 and one for $20,000, following those grants it raised more than $26,000 total in match campaigns.

This match campaign will run through Oct. 31. The group plans to use the money for projects such as restoration work and improvement to the Harmony Museum and its Wagner House annex.

Historic Harmony is a nonprofit historical society that operates the nine-site Harmony Museum. Since it receives no budget from the borough, or other governmental agencies, and rarely applies for government grants, it relies on private donations to operate its programs and maintain its buildings.

Most of the contributions come as donations from individuals, Ruch said.

Its 2014 balanced budget will be $134,500, which includes donations and revenue from admission, rentals and the gift shop. In 2013, it raised $46,000 from private donations.

To donate or to learn more about the museum, call 724-452-7341.