Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's grassroots live music spots.
He was awarded the award on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his beginning days.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support numerous grassroots venues across the UK.
These funds supported spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
In they received the award in 1996 for their record their work, frontman Cocker announced that the group would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician the artist split her prize among several good causes, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to the media.
Two years ago, they gave their funds to the community center that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners M People gave their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was found to have the disease.
"The victory was quite enough," remarked artist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."
Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by a national body and supporters who purchase "shares" in the venues.
