n. 25B6; noun the money came from sponsors : BACKER, patron, promoter, benefactor, benefactress, supporter, contributor, subscriber, friend, guarantor, underwriter; informal angel.
25B6; verb a bank sponsored the event : FINANCE, put up the money for, fund, subsidize, back, promote, support, contribute to, be a patron of, guarantee, underwrite; informal foot the bill for, pick up the tab for; N. Amer. informal bankroll.