Sponsor

Noun

 * 1) A person or organisation with some sort of responsibility for another person or organisation, especially where the responsibility has a religious, legal, or financial aspect.
 * 2) One that pays all or part of the cost of an event, a publication, or a media program, usually in exchange for advertising time.

Synonyms

 * patron, underwriter

Verb

 * 1)  To be a sponsor for.

Derived terms

 * sponsorial
 * sponsorship