Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's independent music venues.
The star was presented with the award on October 16 as his third album People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues stemming from flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The notion that funds from shows in big venues supports the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.
The musician is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
Back when Pulp won the prize in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer the singer stated that the act would give their cash to the organization the charity.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty between several organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Previously, the band donated their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their award to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the disease.
"The victory was ample," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by a national body and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.