Protector or benefactor (6)
I believe the answer is:
patron
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'protector' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'benefactor' is the second definition.
(I know that patron is a type of benefactor)
(Other definitions for patron that I've seen before include "Regular customer or sponsor" , "Sponsor or benefactor" , "With help, he" , "Pot ran out for protector" , "Regular customer; backer" .)