Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the MVT, which works to preserve the UK's small music venues.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages had in his beginning days.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
These funds helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Additional spaces obtained funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
Fender is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to charitable organizations.
In the band won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record their work, frontman the singer declared that the act would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
That year, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award across multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the youth organization that supported their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," remarked artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several small stages in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
