patronage
n. uncountablen. the support, money, or encouragement given by a powerful person or organization to another person. It can also mean being a regular customer at a specific shop or business.
n. the support, financial aid, or social influence provided by a benefactor to an individual or organization; also refers to the regular custom provided to a commercial establishment.
The local arts festival depends on the patronage of wealthy donors.
The young artist flourished under the patronage of a local gallery owner who provided both studio space and monthly stipends.
In the eighteenth century, literary success often relied more on the patronage of the aristocracy than on the actual volume of book sales to the general public.
From Middle English patronage, from Old French patronage (modern French patronage). Equivalent to patron + -age. Piecewise doublet of patternage.
Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the source of support.