Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small music venues.
The star was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds supported venues that were confronting possible closure due to issues arising from floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
When Pulp earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman Cocker announced that the act would contribute their prize money to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize between multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," she told outlets.
Previously, the band gave their funds to the community center that supported their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said artist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected two grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and the other in the city were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
