Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, top acts like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to help numerous small stages across the UK.
The donation supported spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and audiences.
"The notion that funds from concerts in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp received the award in 1996 for their record their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their prize money to the organization War Child.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize across several charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the community center that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients they gave their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved a couple of small stages in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in that area and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
