Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the UK's independent live music spots.
He was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release the album was named the best record of the previous year.
Fender has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages played in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues received financial assistance in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
When they won the award in the year 1996 for their record the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize among multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
And winners that year the group contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted another person's life."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in that location were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
