Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the award on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the North East, and elsewhere, 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 shut down – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading infrastructure and gear that helped performers and audiences.
"The notion that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they earned the award in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would give their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician the artist divided her bounty among multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to the media.
Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners the group gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"Winning was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected another person's life."
Last week, the trust revealed it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.
