Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
He was given the award on October 16 as his new release People Watching was named the best record of the previous year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation helped spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
In Pulp won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker announced that the band would contribute their prize money to the organization War Child.
That year, musician the artist split her prize across multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite told outlets.
Previously, the band contributed their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the buildings.
