It's surprising that he would 'lend his name' to such a venture. [=that he would allow his name to be associated with such a venture]
A growing amount of evidence 'lends weight/credence/credibility' to their theory. [=makes their theory seem true or correct]
A bit of grated carrot 'lends' some color to the dish. = A bit of grated carrot 'lends' the dish some color.
(..) They know... that two and two are five. That's it. Bye-bye. By the way, I got buried last night. Anyone wanna lend me ten thousand till the end of the semester? - Ten thousand what? - Of anything would help me. - What's in it for us? - Oh, an A+. (..)1974 The Gambler