Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the MVT, which operates to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
He was presented with the award on October 16 as his latest record his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues played in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from shows in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
In Pulp earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album the album, frontman Cocker announced that the act would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her prize between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," she explained to outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the disease.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued two small stages in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
