Backer

A person or organization that commits money, influence, or practical support.

Reach for it when identifying someone whose support helps an effort proceed

A local backer paid for the first year of the youth orchestra.

• everyday

  supporter

  approval or help may be moral, practical, or public

  not when Supporter does not promise money or decisive material help.

• warm

  advocate

  public endorsement and persuasion are the valuable contribution

  not when An advocate may never supply the resources that make a project possible.

• professional

  funder

  the contribution is specifically financial

  not when Funder omits advocacy, introductions, and other practical support.

• professional

  investor

  capital is supplied with an expectation of return

  not when Investor is wrong when the support is a gift or carries no ownership interest.

• professional

  sponsor

  funding is given in exchange for formal association or visibility

  not when Sponsor suggests an arranged relationship that a quiet backer may not have.

• formal

  patron

  a person sustains artistic or charitable work over time

  not when Patron sounds traditional and is a poor fit for a commercial proposal.

• opponent
• detractor
• obstructor

• financial backer

  The museum found a financial backer for the conservation work.

• early backer

  An early backer introduced the cooperative to its first large customer.

• loyal backer

  Every loyal backer stayed with the campaign through the delayed permit.