Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the award on mid-October as his third album People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The money helped venues that were facing possible closure due to challenges stemming from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations received funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that helped artists and fans.
"The concept that funds from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
In Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their release the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her prize between a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," Ms Dynamite told outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the youth organization that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners they gave their award to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said artist Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in the city and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the buildings.
