Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
He was given the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was declared the best record of the past year.
He has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
The money supported spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to issues caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his award prize money to worthy causes.
When they won the prize in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize among several good causes, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to the media.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the community center that supported their group, alongside other local music groups.
Also winners that year the group gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," stated artist the singer. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
One venue in Southampton and the second in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "shares" in the buildings.