Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to protect the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
Fender was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was declared the best record of the previous year.
He has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.
The donation assisted venues that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces obtained funding support in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
He is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
When Pulp earned the award in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman the singer announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician the artist divided her bounty between multiple charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," the artist shared with outlets.
Previously, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their act, as well as other local music groups.
And 1994 winners they contributed their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," said artist Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved several small stages in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who purchase "shares" in the properties.
