sponsor

/ˈspɑnsər/
noun
  1. A person or organization that provides money or support for an event, activity, or person, often in exchange for advertising or recognition.
    • Each athlete found a sponsor to cover their travel costs.
    • The local bank was the main sponsor of the charity run.
    • The TV show thanked its sponsors at the end of the episode.
  2. A person who takes responsibility for another person, such as a godparent at baptism or a mentor in a recovery program.
    • Her sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous helped her stay sober.
    • The priest asked the child's sponsors to stand during the ceremony.
    • He became a sponsor for a refugee family, helping them settle in the city.
Antonyms
verb
  1. To provide financial or other support for an event, activity, or person.
    • The corporation sponsors a local soccer team every year.
    • She sponsored her nephew's education through college.
    • A tech company agreed to sponsor the coding competition.
  2. To introduce or support a proposal, such as a bill in a legislature.
    • The committee sponsored the amendment to the constitution.
    • Several representatives sponsored the resolution for climate action.
    • The senator sponsored a new bill to improve public schools.