Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25k award winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to save the Britain's small live music spots.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release his work was declared the top album of the past year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
He also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The money helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained funding support in improving amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from performances in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
When they earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist she divided her bounty among multiple charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," the artist shared with outlets.
Previously, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," said singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in that location were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who buy "stakes" in the properties.
