Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor winnings to the MVT, which operates to preserve the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation helped spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
He is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman the singer stated that the group would contribute their prize money to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize among several good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the community center that nurtured their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued a couple of small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
