Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to protect the Britain's small concert spaces.
The star was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was named the outstanding release of the past year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.
Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across the UK.
These funds helped spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and fans.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they received the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist she split her prize across several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," the artist told a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the community center that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners the group contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in that area and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
