A
benefactor is a person who gives some form of help to benefit a person, group or organization (the
beneficiary), often gifting a monetary contribution in the form of an endowment to help a cause. Benefactors are humanitarian leaders and charitable patrons providing assistance in many forms, such as an
alumnus from a university giving back to a college or an individual providing assistance to others. The word
benefactor comes from Latin
bene (good) and
factor (maker).