Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's small music venues.
He was awarded the award on 16 October as his new release the album was named the top album of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the region, and further afield, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to issues arising from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has said.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.
When the band won the trophy in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman the singer declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her bounty across several organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," the artist told outlets.
Previously, they donated their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners M People donated their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," stated singer Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several local spots in that region, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in the city and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
