Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25,000 award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.
The star was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across the UK.
These funds helped venues that were confronting imminent closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations received monetary aid in modernizing facilities and gear that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from shows in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
In the band received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist divided her bounty among a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," she told a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the local youth club that developed their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"The victory was quite enough," stated singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved a couple of small stages in the South East, by placing them under local control.
The first in the city and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.
