Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to save the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was presented with the cheque on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations received funding support in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist the singer announced that the act would donate their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist she split her award across a few organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist shared with a publication.
In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust revealed it had rescued a couple of small stages in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
