Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k honor cash to the MVT, which functions to save the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album People Watching was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
Fender has decided 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 hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds helped venues that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties arising from floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted monetary aid in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
He is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
In Pulp received the award in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the band would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize across several charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the disease.
"The victory was ample," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had protected a couple of local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in the city and the other in that location were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by a national body and supporters who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
