Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which functions to save the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues received funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when they won the prize in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist the singer stated that the act would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her award between a few charities, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
In recent years, the band gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success affected another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in the city and the second in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the properties.
