Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's small concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the previous year.
Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to difficulties caused by floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading facilities and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has said.
He is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.
When the band received the trophy in the year 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their cash to the charity the charity.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her award between several charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," she shared with a publication.
Previously, the band gave their winnings to the youth organization that supported their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners M People contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," stated singer the singer. "The prize was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched the lives of others."
Recently, the trust revealed it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in the city and the other in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
