Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to preserve the Britain's small concert spaces.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
He has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his early career.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from performances in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
Fender is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp won the award in the year 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer announced that the band would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty among a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated artist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success affected another person's life."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had saved several local spots in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the properties.
