Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
He was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
He also took part, raising over £100k on his live tour to support 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues received financial assistance in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their winnings to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty among a few organizations, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," the artist explained to the media.
In recent years, they gave their prize money to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the disease.
"The victory was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.
The first in the city and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
