benefactor
n. countablen. a person who gives money or other help to a person or an organization like a school or charity.
n. a person who confers a benefit; specifically, one who provides financial or material assistance to an individual or institution.
The museum was built with money from a wealthy benefactor.
An anonymous benefactor donated five million dollars to the university to fund new medical research.
While the artist struggled for years in poverty, the intervention of a generous benefactor allowed him to focus entirely on his masterpiece without financial worry.
From Middle English benefactor, borrowed from Medieval Latin benefactor (“he who bestows a favor”), from Latin benefaciō (“benefit someone”), from bene (“good”) + faciō (“do, make”).
Often used in formal contexts or when discussing philanthropy and historical patronage.