encouraging vs supporting

encouraging is not a noun while supporting is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
encouraging	No	Yes	No	No
supporting	Yes	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, encouraging and supporting are synonyms defined as:

encouraging (noun)	supporting (noun)
	the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

encouraging (adjective)	supporting (adjective)
giving courage or confidence or hope	capable of bearing a structural load
furnishing support and encouragement	furnishing support and encouragement