Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the Britain's independent concert spaces.
He was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his third album People Watching was chosen as the best record of the previous year.
He has decided to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 local spots across Britain.
The money supported venues that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Additional spaces received funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped artists and audiences.
"The notion that money from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
Fender is among several artists to give his award winnings to worthy causes.
When they won the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, frontman the singer announced that the act would donate their prize money to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize among multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year they contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the trust announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
