Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties caused by flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues received funding support in modernizing amenities and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.
In Pulp earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician the artist divided her bounty among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to the media.
In recent years, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.
Also winners that year they contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched somebody else's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected a couple of local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
