Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
He was presented with the award on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues arising from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
He is not the first artist to donate his honor funds to good deeds.
Back when they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their release their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty between multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to outlets.
Two years ago, the band gave their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners the group donated their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the trust revealed it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
