Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's small concert spaces.
The star was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his new release the album was named the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted monetary aid in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his honor winnings to worthy causes.
In they earned the prize in 1996 for their album the album, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would donate their prize money to the charity the charity.
In 2002, musician the artist shared her bounty between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she shared with outlets.
Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that developed their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked artist Small. "The prize 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."
In the past week, the MVT shared it had saved a couple of small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
