Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
He was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the best record of the previous year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous small stages across the UK.
The donation helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues were granted funding support in modernizing facilities and gear that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from performances in big venues supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," the star has said.
He is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
In Pulp received the prize in 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Cocker stated that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
That year, artist the artist divided her award between multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," the artist shared with a publication.
Previously, they contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."
Recently, the trust announced it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and the second in that location were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
