Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which works to save the UK's small music venues.
He was given the prize on mid-October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
These funds assisted locations that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that positively impacted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that money from performances in big venues backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp received the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, frontman Cocker stated that the group would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize among several organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had saved several grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "shares" in the venues.
