Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was given the prize on mid-October as his new release People Watching was named the best record of the past year.
He has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues obtained monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from concerts in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to good deeds.
In Pulp received the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman Cocker stated that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization the charity.
In 2002, artist she split her award among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," she told the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year the group contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Winning was ample," said singer Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
In the past week, the trust announced it had protected a couple of local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
