Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.
"The idea that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
When they received the award in the mid-90s for their record the album, frontman Cocker stated that the act would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
In 2002, artist she shared her bounty across a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," she told outlets.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
And 1994 winners they contributed their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were bought under the public acquisition program, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
