Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
He was awarded the award on October 16 as his latest record the album was chosen as the top album of the past year.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots had in his early career.
"I would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his live tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported locations that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained funding support in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp won the award in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her prize between several good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.
Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Receiving the award was ample," 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."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several small stages in that region, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
