Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.
The star was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
When they won the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
That year, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize between a few charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.
In recent years, the band gave their prize money to the local youth club that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also winners that year they gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.
