benefactor

noun

ben·​e·​fac·​tor ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tər 

: someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit

a benefactor of humankind

especially : a person who makes a gift or bequest

His endowments … placed him high among the benefactors of the convent.

—Jane Austen

a wealthy benefactor

Did you know?

A benefactor may be involved in almost any field. One may endow a scholarship fund; another may give money to expand a library; still another may leave a generous sum to a hospital in her will. The famous benefactions of John D. Rockefeller included the gifts that established the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Rockefeller University. Many benefactors have reported that giving away their money turned out to be the most rewarding thing they ever did.

Synonyms

• angel
• donator
• donor
• fairy godmother
• Maecenas
• patron
• sugar daddy

Examples of benefactor in a Sentence

With the help of a rich benefactor he set up a charity.

an anonymous benefactor gave the school a dozen new computers

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the grant, the project was largely paid for by two benefactors and longtime patrons of the museum, Mary P. Gibbons and Emilie de Brigard. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2024

Collaborations could continue delivering wins for you, and resourced partners and benefactors could pull through for you in the year ahead. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Apr. 2024

In her biography, Yellin describes how Harriet spent three years trying to get her book published, which meant getting the imprimatur of white benefactors. —Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, 23 May 2024

The donation model, says the consortium, means that countries must depend on a commitment from the manufacturer or benefactors, who are often from another country. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

benefactor

noun

bene·​fac·​tor

ˈben-ə-ˌfak-tər

: one who helps another especially by giving money