Word: benefactor

Associations

A benefactor is someone who gives help or support to a person or organization, often in the form of money. This word is commonly used when talking about charity or funding for causes.

• Example 1: "The school received a large donation from a generous benefactor." This shows how a benefactor can help to support educational institutions.
• Example 2: "She became a benefactor for the local animal shelter." Here, the benefactor is helping a charitable organization.
• Example 3: "Many artists rely on benefactors to fund their projects." This highlights how benefactors can support creative endeavors.

An important synonym for benefactor is "donor." However, the main difference is that a donor refers specifically to someone who gives, while a benefactor implies ongoing support and often has a more formal, larger impact.

Substitution

Depending on the context, you could use the following words in place of benefactor:

• Patron: This implies a financial backer, often for the arts, but may not suggest ongoing support.
• Sponsor: This emphasizes support for a specific event or project rather than a general or ongoing relationship.
• Philanthropist: This word implies a broader commitment to charitable actions, often on a larger scale than a single benefactor.

Deconstruction

The word "benefactor" comes from the Latin roots "bene" meaning "well" and "facere" meaning "to do." So it literally means "one who does well" or "one who does good deeds." Understanding these roots can help you remember that a benefactor is someone who acts positively for others.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone acted as a benefactor in your community? What did they do?
• How does the role of a benefactor differ from that of a volunteer?
• In your opinion, what qualities make a good benefactor?