boost, bear, lead, prop up, back, promote, finance, fund, support, defend, spearhead, stand up for, fight for, advocate for, uphold, stick up for, champion (a cause), wave (a banner), raise funds for, argue for/against, crusade for, campaign for, draw attention to (an issue), speak up/out/for

galvanize, trigger, kindle, arouse, stimulate, ignite, excite, activate, whet (someone's appetite for knowledge), spark (one's interest in learning), rouse (someone's curiosity), quicken (someone's understanding), stir (curiosity), inspire (someone to learn), fuel (someone's interest in a field of study)