Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the top album of the previous year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
He also participated, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from shows in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
Fender is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
When they won the prize in the mid-90s for their record their work, lead singer the singer stated that the group would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
That year, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a grand to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to outlets.
Previously, they gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners M People gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," said artist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning impacted somebody else's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several small stages in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in the city and the second in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.
