subsidy

sub·si·dy

1. Monetary assistance granted by a government to a person or group in support of an enterprise regarded as being in the public interest.
2. Financial assistance given by one person or government to another.
3. Money formerly granted to the British Crown by Parliament.

Origin: Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin subsidium, support : sub-, behind, beneath; see sub-  + sedēre, to sit; see sed- in Indo-European roots.