Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.
He was awarded the prize on 16 October as his third album People Watching was named the best record of the past year.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I personally 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," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by including a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
The donation helped locations that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces received monetary aid in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.
Back when Pulp earned the prize in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the group would contribute their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her award between several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
In recent years, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was ample," remarked vocalist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the trust revealed it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
