spon·sor 
(spŏnsər)
(spŏnsər)n.
1. One who assumes responsibility for another person or a group during a period of instruction, apprenticeship, or probation.
2. One who vouches for the suitability of a candidate for admission, as to an organization.
3. A legislator who proposes and urges adoption of a bill.
4. Christianity One who presents a candidate for baptism or confirmation; a godparent.
5. One that finances a project, event, or organization directed by another person or group, such as a business enterprise that pays for radio or television programming in return for advertising time.
tr.v. spon·sored, spon·sor·ing, spon·sors
To act as a sponsor for.
[Late Latin spōnsor, sponsor in baptism, from Latin, surety, from spōnsus, past participle of spondēre, to pledge; see spend- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
spon·sori·al (-sôrē-əl) adj.
sponsor·ship′ n.