Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to protect the UK's independent concert spaces.
The star was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots had in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his recent tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were facing possible closure due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in major spaces helps the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
He is among several artists to give his award funds to good deeds.
Back when they earned the award in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize between multiple charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was ample," stated artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT shared it had protected two local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in the city were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
