Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's independent concert spaces.
Fender was given the award on 16 October as his third album his work was chosen as the best record of the past year.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous local spots across Britain.
The money supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Other venues received financial assistance in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.
"The idea that money from performances in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
In the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their record the album, frontman Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer she divided her award among a few charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the trust shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The first in Southampton and the other in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
