One who gives a fellow gold (5)
I believe the answer is:
donor
'one who gives' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a fellow gold' is the wordplay.
'a fellow' becomes 'don' (both can mean an academic).
'gold' becomes 'or' ('or' is the heraldic name for gold).
'don'+'or'='DONOR'
(Other definitions for donor that I've seen before include "Benefactor, giver" , "Philanthropist" , "Organ giver?" , "Almsgiver, benefactor" , "Maker of gift" .)