benefactor
BEN-uh-fak-ternounMeaning a person who gives money or help to a person or cause
Memory hook the owner of the BENEFIT FACTORY. Picture a factory that makes good things for other people: its owner, the benefactor, is the one who gives.
An unnamed benefactor paid for the new playground.
In context The museum could never have bought the painting on its own; a benefactor who loved art covered the whole cost and asked only that the public be allowed to see it.
Similar patron, donor, supporter, sponsor
Opposite beneficiary, recipient
From Latin benefactor, “one who does good”: bene (well) + facere (to do).