Kirstin W. Smith, Senior Program Officer at the MIGMIR Fund, is a faith-driven philanthropic disruptor advancing equitable investment across Chicago’s South and West Sides and the Global South. A Chicago native, she has led equity-focused work across public policy, education, and public health since 2007, including building workforce pipelines, managing state initiatives, and securing more than $55 million in grant funding for community-led efforts. Her writing achievements include developing proposals that generated millions in career pathways and education funding, as well as her work as an award-winning blogger and bestselling author. Kirstin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago's Harris School.
Stephanie J. Townsell serves as a Senior Program Officer at the MIGMIR Fund, where she leads complex initiatives focused on community development and health equity. Her career spans Fortune 500 engineering roles and senior leadership positions at the Chicago Department of Public Health, providing a rare, interdisciplinary perspective on systems change and public impact. Guided by her faith, Stephanie is a dedicated civic leader and board member committed to advancing equitable, community-centered partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. Stephanie and her family are long-time residents of the North Lawndale community, where her lived experience continues to shape her leadership.
The Mox.E Speaker Series is a curated experience designed for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the Entrenuity Accelerator Cohort and Mox.E community. We connect founders with action leaders who share real strategies, decisions, and lessons behind measurable business growth. Each session delivers practical tools and honest insight you can apply immediately to your business.
WORKSHOP TITLE: BEYOND THE VEIL OF GRANTMAKING
Grant funding can feel opaque, intimidating, and difficult to navigate—especially for entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders working closest to community impact. In this session, Stephanie J. Townsell and Kirstin W. Smith, Senior Program Officers at the MIGMIR Fund, pull back the curtain on how funders really think and make decisions.
Drawing from their experience in philanthropy, public policy, and community-centered investment, they’ll share what strengthens—or weakens—an application and what to consider before seeking funding.
Key takeaways include:
- Articulate core elements of funder decision-making
- Discuss emerging trends in philanthropy
- Reflect on their own application history
- State the most important thing to consider before seeking funding
- Describe Do’s and Don’ts in grant seeking
- Articulate the importance of data and storytelling
This session is ideal for founders, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers seeking to approach grant funding with greater confidence, strategy, and alignment—transforming grant seeking from guesswork into informed action.