a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

argue or speak in defense of

be a regular customer or client of

give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to

invests in a theatrical production

someone having a relation analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild

a person who sponsors someone (the godchild) at baptism

one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another

a woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron