Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the UK's small live music spots.
He was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
Recently, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.
The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to issues arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in big venues supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.
Back when the band won the trophy in 1996 for their record their work, frontman the singer announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician she shared her prize between a few good causes, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that supported their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year they contributed their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory touched another person's life."
Recently, the trust revealed it had saved two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
