What does "Stifter" mean?

[jujimufu]

I have some compositions to upload (some of which I have already uploaded), and under the composer's name, there is this:

"Stifter: Otto Hammerer" (or something else) (and on one occasion, it is the same as the composer's name).

What does it mean? I have the impression it means "Commissioner", but I may be completely wrong as I don't really speak any German..

[vinteuil]

It's sort of like "Sponsor"

[jujimufu]

Thanks Carolus answered the question earlier, but yeah - I still don't quite get why it is used.. Thanks anyway

[Richard Mix]

"Donor", but I'm unfamiliar with this context. Are your talking about a printed titlepage?