Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, raising over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.
When Pulp won the award in 1996 for their record the album, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would donate their winnings to the organization the charity.
In 2002, artist the artist shared her bounty between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite told a publication.
Previously, the band donated their prize money to the community center that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.
"The victory was quite enough," remarked vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had rescued a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in that area and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.
