Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 award winnings to the MVT, which works to save the UK's small concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his latest record his work was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The notion that funds from performances in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her award between a few organizations, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I donated a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Previously, the band gave their prize money to the local youth club that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two small stages in that region, by placing them under local control.
One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
