Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in modernizing facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from performances in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
When they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the band would contribute their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite split her award across multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," she told a publication.
Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory affected another person's life."
Recently, the trust revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
