Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which functions to save the UK's grassroots live music spots.
He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
Fender has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help numerous grassroots venues across Britain.
The money assisted venues that were dealing with possible closure due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in improving facilities and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from performances in major spaces helps the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to give his award funds to charitable organizations.
When Pulp received the award in 1996 for their album the album, lead singer the singer stated that the act would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between several charities, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had saved two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
