Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which works to protect the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports local stages.
He also took part, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to donate his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when they received the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her prize between a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," she told outlets.
Previously, the band gave their funds to the community center that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.
And 1994 winners they contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of small stages in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The first in the city and the second in the city were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
