Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the MVT, which works to protect the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release his work was named the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Additional spaces obtained funding support in modernizing infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
In the band won the award in 1996 for their record the album, frontman Cocker announced that the group would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.
And 1994 winners M People contributed their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was quite enough," remarked vocalist the singer. "The money was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected two local spots in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The first in that area and the second in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
