Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
The star was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his third album his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation supported locations that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from performances in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize funds to charitable organizations.
When Pulp earned the award in 1996 for their record their work, frontman the singer announced that the band would give their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer the artist divided her bounty between several charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told outlets.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the trust announced it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
