sponsor

nouns

someone who supports or champions something
patron, sponsor, supporter
is derived from
sponsorship
an advocate who presents a person (as for an award or a degree or an introduction etc.)
presenter, sponsor

verbs

assume sponsorship of
patronise, patronize, sponsor
assume responsibility for or leadership of
"The senator announced that he would sponsor the health care plan"
sponsor
is a type of (narrower)
give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
"She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up"
back up, support
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
buy at, frequent, patronise, patronize, shop, shop at, sponsor