Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his third album the album was named the outstanding release of the past year.
He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role local spots had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his live tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that helped musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from shows in large arenas backs the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to donate his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when the band won the award in 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the act would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist divided her award across multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
In recent years, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year M People gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted another person's life."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected several local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
