A person who provides money or other substantial help for someone else's benefit.
Reach for it when identifying a giver whose support materially improves an effort or life
An anonymous benefactor replaced every instrument lost in the flood.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
|
everyday
Fits when money or influence enables a project to proceed
Careful Backer fits commercial and political efforts that do not confer a charitable benefit.
everyday
supporter
Fits when help may include time, advocacy, and encouragement
Careful Supporter can contribute no material aid at all.
professional
Fits when money, goods, blood, or tissue are formally given
Careful Donor describes the act but not necessarily the scale or continuing benefit.
professional
sponsor
Fits when support is publicly associated with an event or recipient
Careful Sponsorship often purchases visibility and is not purely charitable.
formal
Fits when sustained support for art, learning, or an institution matters
Careful Patron can imply status or influence that a one-time benefactor does not seek.
formal
Fits when large or organized giving for public welfare defines the person
Careful Philanthropist is inflated for one modest act of help.
anonymous benefactor
An anonymous benefactor cleared the school meal debt.
generous benefactor
The generous benefactor asked the theater to credit its apprentices instead.
private benefactor
A private benefactor funded the archive's climate controls.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.