Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
Fender was given the award on mid-October as his new release his work was named the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, top acts including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 local spots across Britain.
The donation supported locations that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations received funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The concept that money from performances in major spaces helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
He is among several artists to donate his honor prize money to good deeds.
Back when the band received the award in the mid-90s for their record their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the group would give their cash to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her award between several organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
In recent years, the band contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients the group donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by a national body and supporters who buy "shares" in the buildings.
