Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots music venues.
He was given the award on mid-October as his new release People Watching was named the outstanding release of the past year.
He has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages had in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.
The money helped locations that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and audiences.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.
Back when they earned the prize in 1996 for their release the album, frontman Cocker announced that the group would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, artist she divided her award between several good causes, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist told the media.
Previously, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.
And 1994 winners M People contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.
"Winning was ample," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.
