Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted locations that were facing imminent closure due to issues arising from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has said.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his award prize money to charitable organizations.
When they won the award in 1996 for their record Different Class, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, musician she divided her bounty across multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," she told the media.
Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our success touched another person's life."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had rescued two small stages in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
