# Manitou Fund

Manitou Fund is an Endowment / Foundation based in White Bear Lake, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** White Bear Lake, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 4801 Highway 61 310, White Bear Lake, MN, United States
- **Founded:** 1966
- **Assets under management:** 778 (Altss estimate)
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/manitou-fund

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Donald G. McNeely founded the Manitou Fund in 1966. The foundation maintains its headquarters in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and focuses grantmaking on environmental organizations plus selected arts and education programs in the Midwest and California. The foundation executes its mandate through direct ownership of land and buildings rather than external fund commitments. Confirmed holdings include Wilder Forest, a 600-acre undeveloped tract in May Township, Washington County, Minnesota; the Zephyr Theatre property in Stillwater, Minnesota, acquired for $2.2 million; and roughly 800 acres of Washington County conservation land. Manitou Communities, a related operating vehicle, owns residential properties in Michigan including Garfield Oaks and The Woods at Crystal Lake. Geographic reach centers on Minnesota and extends to Santa Barbara County, California. The foundation lists no public headcount. Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley have served more than 24 years on the board of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Oliver Din serves as President and CEO; Greg McNeely, Kevin McNeely, and Nora McNeely Hurley hold Chief Program Officer and Director titles. Family members occupy both governance and program positions, creating a direct link between ownership and grant decisions that distinguishes the structure from professionally staffed foundations with external boards.

## Sectors

- Real Estate
- Climate

## People

- Oliver Din — President and CEO
- Nora McNeely Hurley — Chief Program Officer and Director
- Greg McNeely — Chief Program Officer and Director
- Kevin McNeely — Chief Program Officer and Director

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Manitou Fund?

Oliver Din serves as President and CEO. Nora McNeely Hurley, Greg McNeely, and Kevin McNeely hold Chief Program Officer and Director titles and participate in program oversight.

### Does Manitou Fund participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation executes its mandate through direct ownership of land, buildings, and operating businesses including Manitou Communities.

### What geographic areas receive the majority of Manitou Fund grants?

Grantmaking concentrates in the Midwest and California, with documented activity in Minnesota and Santa Barbara County.

### How is Manitou Fund related to Manitou Communities?

Manitou Communities is an operating business owned by the foundation that holds residential real estate assets in Michigan.

## Related profiles

- [Shedd Aquarium Society](https://altss.com/profile/shedd-aquarium-society)
- [Jack Kent Cooke Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/jack-kent-cooke-foundation)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/manitou-fund

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology