Manitou Fund
Manitou Fund is a private foundation established in 1966 and based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation with a focus on supporting environmental organizations and community initiatives, particularly in the Midwest and California regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$20.1M
-47.8% YoY
Grant Count
164
-25.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$123K
-30.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports left-of-center environmental groups and other organizations. Beyond environmental grantmaking, Manitou Fund demonstrates commitment to arts education and community development through initiatives such as the Manitou Fund Arts Fund, which supports teaching and visiting artists in the Greater White Bear Lake community. The foundation also engages in land preservation efforts.
The foundation hosts community events, including the annual "Still Hope" charitable holiday event at the Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center, which brings together local nonprofit organizations, artisans, school groups, and musicians to inspire community awareness and engagement.
Grantmaking
Manitou Fund made 219 grants in 2023 with a median grant size of $50,000 and a maximum grant of $14 million. The foundation distributed approximately $59 million in grants during that fiscal year.
Grant Range
of $50,000 and a maximum grant of $14 million. The foundation distributed approximately $59 million in grants during that fiscal year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses its grantmaking in the Midwest and California regions, with particular emphasis on the Greater White Bear Lake community in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $795 million (2023)
Annual Revenue: $33.2 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $268.6 million (2023)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since May 1966; EIN 41-6055113
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Century College Foundation ($750,000), Friends of Fai the Italian Environment Foundation Inc ($500,000), Big Sur Land Trust ($450,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 18TH STREET ARTS COMPLEX SANTA MONICA, CA | UKRAINE FILM & ART PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| A PURPOSEFUL RESCUE INC LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| ACADEMY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUCATION PROGRAM ($50K) AND ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMS ($50K) | $100,000 |
| AHA ATTITUDE HARMONY ACHIEVEMENT SANTA BARBARA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| AIM FOR MENTAL HEALTH INC CARMEL, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| ALL NATIONS RISE OGEMA, MN | GENERAL OPERATING | $80,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATION DULUTH, MN | GENERAL OPERATING | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY CENTER SAINT PAUL, MN | GENERAL OPERATING | $90,000 |
| AMERICAN PUBLIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION WILMINGTON, DE | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| ANGELS FOSTER CARE OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Oliver Din — President & CEO ($750,000 annual compensation)
- Greg McNeely — Chief Program Officer ($350,000 annual compensation)
- Kevin McNeely — Chief Program Officer ($166,000 annual compensation)
- Nora McNeely Hurley — Chief Program Officer ($350,000 annual compensation)
- Michael Hurley — Program Manager ($85,000 annual compensation)
- Heather Din — Operations Manager ($95,000 annual compensation)
- Brian Ketchel — IT Systems Manager ($96,000 annual compensation)
The foundation was established by real estate magnate Donald G. McNeely.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLIVER DIN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 60 | $750,000 |
| GREG MCNEELY | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $350,000 |
| NORA MCNEELY HURLEY | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $350,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 4801 Highway 61 N, Suite 310, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Telephone: 651-370-1258
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Manitou Fund fund?
The foundation supports left-of-center environmental groups and other organizations. Beyond environmental grantmaking, Manitou Fund demonstrates commitment to arts education and community development through initiatives such as the Manitou Fund Arts Fund, which supports teaching and visiting artists in the Greater White Bear Lake community. The foundation also engages in land preservation efforts. The foundation hosts community events, including the annual "Still Hope" charitable holiday event …
How do I apply for a grant from Manitou Fund?
Manitou Fund made 219 grants in 2023 with a median grant size of $50,000 and a maximum grant of $14 million. The foundation distributed approximately $59 million in grants during that fiscal year. Recent grant recipients have included St. Scholastica for nursing scholarships and Gwendolyn's Playground, which received a $1 million grant. The Manitou Fund Arts Fund specifically supports area arts organizations including the White Bear Center for the Arts, Lakeshore Players, and the Children's Per…
Where does Manitou Fund make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses its grantmaking in the Midwest and California regions, with particular emphasis on the Greater White Bear Lake community in Minnesota.
What size grants does Manitou Fund award?
In 2024, Manitou Fund awarded 164 grants totaling $20.1M — an average of about $123K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Manitou Fund's EIN?
Manitou Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6055113. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Manitou Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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