Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which functions to protect the UK's small music venues.
Fender was given the prize on October 16 as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
He also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported spaces that were facing imminent closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.
"The idea that money from performances in major spaces supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to donate his award winnings to good deeds.
In the band won the prize in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist the artist divided her award among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that nurtured their group, alongside other local music groups.
And the 1994 recipients M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
