Patronage

Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.

Business custom.

Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.

The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.

The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.

To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.

the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"

support by being a patron of

(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support