Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
The star was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release his work was named the best record of the past year.
He has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
He also participated, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The money supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and fans.
"The idea that funds from performances in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
In Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would donate their cash to the non-profit the charity.
That year, artist she split her bounty across multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," the artist explained to the media.
In recent years, the band contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients M People gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," said vocalist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT shared it had saved several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who acquire "shares" in the properties.
