Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across Britain.
These funds assisted venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in improving infrastructure and gear that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The notion that money from performances in big venues supports the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award prize money to good deeds.
When the band received the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her award among a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Previously, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"Winning was quite enough," said singer the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
