About us

Michael Trudgeon
Vice President for Development

Mr. Trudgeon is a seasoned fundraising professional, an expert in capital campaign direction with a focus on major gift development and strategic planning. Prior to joining the firm as a consultant in 2010, he worked as Director of Planned Giving for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. Using his experience in estate planning, he created and managed a highly successful planned giving program that exceeded expectations each fiscal year.

Mr. Trudgeon's development career began over twenty years ago as the Director of Development for the Beloit (Wisconsin) Area Catholic Schools wherein he managed the development and communication efforts of three private schools. Soon after, he joined American City Bureau, Inc., the nation’s oldest fundraising firm and provided capital campaign and major gift counsel to many clients, including: the Sterling/Rock Falls, YMCA/Sterling, Illinois, Calumet College/Whiting, Indiana and the Maritime Museum/Manitowoc, Wisconsin. On each American City Bureau, Inc. campaign in which he was involved, Mr. Trudgeon received the highest praise.

In 1999, he went on to become the Director of Development and Capital Campaign Manager for the Marquette University School of Dentistry. In this role he was responsible for managing the overall direction of the $35 million capital campaign to construct a new dental school from pledges and gifts from alumni, individuals, corporations and foundations. This capital campaign exceeded its goal and Mr. Trudgeon played a crucial role in the creation and implementation of a communications and marketing plan.

After working in private practice as an attorney, he rejoined American City Bureau as Senior Consultant and Director of Planned Giving where he assisted the firm in developing fundraising and communication campaigns for a variety of clients from the health, education and social service fields.

Mr. Trudgeon brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning and constituent relations to The Federal Group. He received his BA and JD degrees at Marquette University.