sponsor

v. back, support, finance, subsidize, promote

n. one who donates money; person or organization that promotes or supports (an event, program, candidate, etc.); godparent

To sponsor something is to support an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. A sponsor is the individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor. Sponsorship may be an arrangement to exchange advertising for the responsibility of funding a popular event or entity. For example, a corporate entity may provide equipment for a famous athlete or sports team in exchange for brand recognition. The sponsor earns popularity this way while the sponsored can save a lot of money. This type of sponsorship, known as cause-related, is prominent in the sports, arts, media and charity sectors.
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Noun
1. someone who supports or champions something
(synonym) patron, supporter
(hypernym) benefactor, helper
(hyponym) angel, backer
2. an advocate who presents a person (as for an award or a degree or an introduction etc.)
(synonym) presenter
(hypernym) advocate, advocator, proponent, exponent
(derivation) patronize, patronise
Verb
1. assume sponsorship of
(synonym) patronize, patronise
(hypernym) support
(hyponym) cosponsor
(derivation) presenter
2. assume responsibility for or leadership of; "The senator announced that he would sponsor the health care plan"
(hypernym) support, back up
(derivation) patron, supporter
3. do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
(synonym) patronize, patronise, shop, shop at, buy at, frequent
(hypernym) support, back up

n. sponsor, patron, backer, one who assumes responsibility for a person or thing

n. sponsor, person or organization that promotes or supports (an event, program, candidate, etc.)