In the passing of Per Stenbeck this week, the fundraising and non-profit world has lost one of its greatest, most inspirational, kindest, warmest and most loved, across all continents and cultures. The world is a better place because of him.

Per’s wife Ann-Kathrine sent me a message today informing me that he had passed away this weekend after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ann-Kathrine said that “His passing leaves behind an immeasurable emptiness, but we in the family take comfort in knowing that he’s now at peace from his illness and that he lived a beautiful life.”

I cried, I smiled, and my mind floated back to 1987 and meeting this crazy Swedish fundraising leader in what was the International Fund Raising Workshop (IFRW) in Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands. Per and his co-founders were the international evangelists for this strange profession of fundraising that we found ourselves in.

Per was a true believer and his warm and welcoming smile made me and many others to be lifelong members of this wonderful cult.

As Per described himself on LinkedIn, he had “40 years of international experience in non-profit leadership, fundraising and advocacy”, but it did not start there. Per spent the whole decade of the 1970s in advertising before joining Save the Children Sweden as Director of Public Affairs and Fundraising, where he stayed for 12 years. During this time, Per co-founded the IFRW until I persuaded him to become the CEO of the Resource Alliance and the IFRW, now the International Fundraising Congress (IFC). He transformed and grew the event and took it to the next level internationally, inspiring the next generation of fundraising leaders.

Our lives were inextricably intertwined as I persuaded Per to become Executive Director of Greenpeace Sweden where his national and international leadership helped shape a modern Greenpeace, and then years later to the role of International Fundraising Director at UNICEF, where he led the organisation to achieve over $1 billion USD in global private sector income. His final formal organisational role was to create WaterAid Sweden.

In reality, what I describe above is not what Per’s friends, colleagues, and heartfelt admirers will remember Per for. It is Per the loving, kind, supportive, inspirational, generous, encouraging, gentle, funny, fun, challenging, inquisitive human being that touched all of us that had the honour of knowing him and loving him in return. Per was special, he was unique he affected and changed everyone that encountered him; we came away richer in spirit, stronger, energised and passionate to do our very best to raise funds, raise awareness, change minds and behaviours …all to make the world a better place.

Thank you Per Stenbeck.

It must be in the words of others that I wish my friend, colleague and comrade in alms to be remembered.

Author:

Daryl Upsall, President

Quotes

“Per was a constant and inspirational presence through my several decades as a fundraiser and of course to thousands of others all around the world who, like me, benefitted from his wisdom, warmth, energy and friendship. Per did indeed live a beautiful life. We are all grateful for that, and for his immense contribution to the lives of countless others who now carry on his great work.”  Ken Burnett

Thank you, dear Daryl, for this note.  I am filled with sadness this morning at the news of the passing of our friend Per.  And at the same time, I am reminded of the bond that holds us together as I read through the list of recipients and feel lifted up by memories that flood back about each and every one of you. In my view there has never been a time that more urgently requires the passion of Per’s commitment and the integrity of his life and actions.  I will use the moment to mourn his loss and then recommit to the work that so urgently lies before us in this hurting world.  “We got this, Per”.  Rest in peace. Jennie Thompson

“Thank you for sharing the news of the sad loss of Per, a beloved pioneer in our community. My deepest condolences to his family. May they take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on in the many thousands and thousands of change makers that have flourished due to his heartfelt generosity and vision” Kyla Shawyer

“I’ll never forget his contagious optimism, always looking forward and ahead. He surely was a pioneer in many senses in the fundraising world.” Mario Fetz

“In my view there has never been a time that more urgently requires the passion of Per’s commitment and the integrity of his life and actions.  I will use the moment to mourn his loss and then recommit to the work that so urgently lies before us in this hurting world” Jennie Thompson

“Others have already said it, but his smile, his enthusiasm, his boundless humanity! What a great life force he was. I was so privileged to meet him, and many of you, very early in my career. It was he and the rest of you that helped me realise I had a vocation and not just a job.”  Derek Humphries

“Per and I had worked so much alongside one and other for IFC. He was an inspiration for us.”  Pierre-Bernard Le Bas (IFC co-founder)

“Talk about standing on the shoulders of those who came before. Per was a key builder of our movement. And boy wasn’t he fussy about our all presentation slides. But he wanted our conference to be the best. It was and is. Thank you Per.” Steve​​​​ Thomas

“So many powerful and happy memories of Per flooding back…

…at my first IFC hearing his 1^st Moses-style Commandment- ‘People give to People” and ripping up my spreadsheets…… riding- fast!- in his speedboat to his special quiet island in Sweden to plot and plan for UNICEF to break the $1B private ceiling..…drinking in Acapulco at the first Latin American Fundraising Congress he had supported though RA…and hearing about his crazy vision to create a global network of congresses… a quiet dinner in Copenhagen discovering how he was spending his ‘retirement’ still relentlessly doing good. A life well lived. An inspiration.” Bernard Ross

“He will be greatly missed. Talk about standing on the shoulders of those who came before. Per was a key builder of our movement. And boy wasn’t he fussy about our all presentation slides. But he wanted our conference to be the best. It was and is.”  Steve Thomas (Author of To Build a Better World, the IFC Story)

Per was one of those giants in my career whose brilliance, kindness and warmth encouraged and inspired me as I found my way in this marvellous profession, we follow in our attempts to make the world a better place. Per and I connected often at the IFC in The Netherlands, and one year I had the joy of coming to Sweden to present to the Swedish Fundraising Conference at Per’s invitation.  It was a thrilling and satisfying experience and gave me more opportunities to see his genius at work. Kay Sprinkel Grace

“He was incredible and unforgettable. His smile is what I will always remember.” Richard Radcliffe

“Per was not only my friend, but my supervisor at UNICEF as well. I had many supervisors during my 33 years at UNICEF, but not one of them could match up to Per in terms of inspiration, encouragement, guidance and generosity of spirit. He was one of the greatest influences of my life.” Richard Pordes

“May you go into the light in peace Per Stenbeck Your impact will be always remembered and celebrated”. Usha Menon

“Per Stenbeck: an example of how powerful it can be, simply to be kind. Condolences to his loved ones. Derek Humphries

I’m sorry and sad to hear this, but so grateful for what Per helped build with the RA and IFC that thousands of fundraisers have benefited from. My sympathies to his family and friends, and may he rest in peace. Sonya Swiridjuk

Per Stenbeck was an amazing human being! Daryl Upsall thank you for posting this heartfelt tribute. My deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and loved ones. Ted Hart

Thanks for letting me know Daryl, such sad news.

’ll always be eternally grateful to Per for taking a chance on me in 1996 and giving me my first ‘grown up’ job after university. I remember telling my then girlfriend Michelle, about how I’d been interviewed by this incredibly enthusiastic and charismatic Swede, how he’d completely sold the IFRG to me, and that I really hoped I’d get the chance to work with him. Of course, I got the job only for him to promptly tell me he was leaving! Still, it was always such a pleasure to catch up with Per at the IFC in the following years – always bounding over with a warm smile and the same infectious enthusiasm; genuinely interested in how I was, and how the rest of ‘his team’ were getting along. I will miss him, he was a lovely man. Alan Bird

Condolences to his family and friends! Rati Misra

Sorry to hear this… an amazing man Stephen George

Really sorry to hear this. Such a decent and kind man. ML Lalonde

Very sad news Tim Hunter

Very sad news. RIP Per. Donald Kossuth

Kind, thoughtful, curious, encouraging…and absolutely focused. A really memorable man. Annie Moreton

Such sad news! Per was such a kind and thoughtful leader. He was such an inspiration, and I learnt so much from him. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Jeanie Seto

Per was a remarkable man and I was honored to know him. Paulette Maehara

Such a wonderful human being and a boss. Per had a full life and left a lots of social impact behind. Anup Tiwari

Thanks for your piece on Per; a wonderful man, with that fine, educated, thin voice behind which was a weight of thinking and decision-making.

He gave me my break into fundraising in continental Europe, inviting me as a complete nobody to do a workshop on the then unknown topic of prospect research. To attract an audience to a workshop that I thought would be completely empty, I dressed up in an orange boiler suit with (unforgivably, now) my company logo all over it, and dragged people in from the corridor to take part. Per enjoyed the theatricality of it all. Christopher Carnie

May his memory be a blessing. Per did so much good and shared so much wisdom. He stands out as one of the remarkable people I met at the Resource Alliance sessions in The Netherlands. Ken Wyman

RIP Per. The fundraising profession has lost one of its kindest and encouraging advocates. Paul Farthing

Oh, that is very sad news. What an impact he has left on the world and in so many people. His memory will truly live on for a long time to come. Beate Sørum

R.I.P. Per Stenbeck I’m very sad. You were such an empathetic person and a wonderful inspiring fundraiser. It was a pleasure to meet you during my UNICEF time. I remember our last conversation on the ifc some years ago. Sabine Wagner

Never a manager, always a leader. A dreamer, a fighter, an inspirer… Richard Beighton

I just want to celebrate an amazing person with an unforgettable smile. He lived a huge life and to be honest, if lucky, we can live long but if unlucky too long. So, no condolences (horrid word) or sorrow from me. Just glad to raise a celebratory Glass in honour of how he influenced and inspired so many of us. Richard Radcliffe

Thank You for your lovely article, Daryl! He was a truly remarkable man. Aki Temisevä

So sad to hear that. Per was a role model for every fundraiser at every state of life. I met him for the first time in the 90ies and was impressed by his professionalism and his kindness alike. Our global community has lost a great human being. Per, you‘ll be missed so much by so many people. RIP Olav Bouman

Per I know you’ll be looking down smiling on us all now. You filled our lives with passion, love, kindness and vision. It was a true honour to learn from you at UNICEF and be your friend. God bless. Roger John Keczkes

So sorry to hear of Per’s passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Anne-Marie Grey

Fond memories of all you have contributed and accomplished. A pleasure to work with. Rest in Peace dear Per. John R. Batten

RIP, dear Per! We will miss you. Cheers, Jasna Jasna Sonne

Thanks Daryl Upsall for posting that lovely tribute. Per was one of those wonderful people in life who live to inspire and spread joy in our world of challenges and complexity. I will never forget the IFC Rio Conference we were supposedly delivering  together when Per asked me over a beer if I’d be happy Chairing it and presenting on my own. Of course I said yes and what an experience that was! All thoughts and love to his family at this time David… David Coe

A gentle genius of generosity… Bernard Ross

Thanks dear Daryl, yes, as Aki says, warm and wise man. Missing him. Marja Jörgensen

Condolences and thank you May Per Rest In Peace Claus Bager Nielsen

So sad to hear. A warm and inspiring human being and a great Fundraiser has left us. RIP, Dear Per. And this picture of you in your UNICEF office where we had so many strategic thoughts and actions will remain forever in my heart. Helene Reymann

I am so sorry to learn of Per’s passing. My thoughts are with his family and his many friends with whom I share deep sadness at the loss of such a special soul. As others have said so eloquently, Per was warm, funny, and supportive to all, and most of all, truly a caring person. When I attended my first IFRW (now IFC), Per was the first person I was told to see, so that he could help me organize my slides for my upcoming presentation. His welcoming smile immediately put me at ease. As well as at the dozen subsequent IFC’s I attended, I also had the great pleasure of spending time with Per at the Swedish Fundraising Conference and as a co-trainer with him in Rio on behalf of UNICEF. These are memories I will always cherish. There is only one possible way to begin to thank Per for all he did in his life to help others…. that is to recommit to carrying on his important work. I am sure with his inspiration we will all do so.  Rich Fox

A true gentleman, Per was UNICEF’s first global Fundraising Director and made an enormous contribution to the welfare of children worldwide. His charm and dedication were matched by an endless passion that will be greatly missed. Roger Keczke

This is very sad news, sending condolences to Per’s family, friends and fundraising network.  Michelle Chambers

Thank you so much for your post and thoughtful article capturing so much. I was so sorry to hear of Per’s death. Like others, I remember the early days of ‘IFRW’ (my first one was 1990 I think). Per’s welcome, kindness, passion, commitment and ability to inspire. I too went, and left feeling totally inspired, knowing I’d found my tribe and my vocation.  Jackie Fowler

Such an inspirational man and leader…Per’s impact will be felt for generations across nations  Angharad McKenzie

Sorry to hear about Per. He was one of the best people I worked with. Truly a good man and an excellent global fundraising leader. We all have to go, but Per had a good run in the mission to bring social impact to our planet. Anup Tiwari

RIP Dear Per. And thanks for the many years of strategic planning for Fundraising at UNICEF & your warm and challenging way of being. So many great memories. Helene Reymann

Thank you Daryl for writing and sharing these beautiful words about a truly remarkable person. It’s hard to understand that Per is no longer with us. But his kindness, his passion and his support is still with me. He made the world a better place. Maria Ros Hjelm

Sorry to hear the news. I met Per in my first months working for Unicef in 1993. He was always so helpful and caring with all the new colleagues. I am going to remember him as an eternal optimist. Thanks Daryl for sharing. Norma Galafassi

Thank you, Daryl, for the in memory article about Per. I always remembered his positives and empowering comments about my work on digital and alternative approaches in the late 90’s. Very sad news, my condolences and love to family and friends. Marcelo Iñarra Iraegui

Very, very sad indeed. Such a kind and lovely man. He had a keen eye for detail in people. Jolan van Herwaarden

A gentle soul with a fierce heart. Bill Toliver

Thanks for sharing, we are losing giants. My interaction with Per dates back to the early 2000s when I too was with UNICEF and struggling to deal with donor pledges. May his soul rest in peace May those he loved feel his legacy for years to come. Charles Strickland

A wonderful person. He had a warm and joyful way of welcoming people into his life. He will not be forgotten! Beatrice Progid

Thanks for sharing Daryl Upsall and condolences to loved ones of Per Stenbeck . We all have moments when he deeply impacted our lives. Thinking much of him today on a snowy Canadian Sunday. Douglas Douglas Tanton

So very sorry to hear of Per’s passing. A truly compassionate soul. Lovely article, Daryl. Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Sorry to hear that Daryl. Per was inspirational at the IFRW/IFC. Bruce Clark

I missed this. Daryl thank you for a beautiful tribute. Fond memories Angela Cluff