Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the UK's small live music spots.
The star was awarded the prize on mid-October as his third album his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to give his award prize money to worthy causes.
In Pulp earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist divided her prize across a few good causes, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
Previously, the band gave their winnings to the community center that supported their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
