Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release the album was chosen as the best record of the previous year.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across Britain.
The money supported locations that were confronting imminent closure due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in improving amenities and gear that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to good deeds.
When the band earned the award in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her award among several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite told outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"Winning was sufficient," said singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Recently, the trust revealed it had rescued two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
