Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was named the top album of the previous year.
The musician has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.
The money helped venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving amenities and gear that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to good deeds.
When they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would donate their winnings to the charity the charity.
In 2002, musician the artist divided her bounty across a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
In recent years, the band donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, in addition to other local music groups.
And winners that year they donated their award to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated singer Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected two grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
