Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role local spots had in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 local spots across the UK.
The donation assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues received monetary aid in improving facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The concept that money from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," the star has said.
The musician is among several artists to donate his honor funds to charitable organizations.
In they won the award in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, frontman the singer announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her award between a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite told a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.
Also winners that year they donated their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," stated vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted another person's life."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had protected two small stages in that region, by bringing them into local control.
One venue in Southampton and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
