Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k award prize money to the MVT, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the award on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his early career.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across the UK.
These funds supported spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to give his honor funds to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, vocalist Cocker declared that the band would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician she shared her prize between multiple charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the youth organization that developed their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in the city and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.
