Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
He was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, top acts including Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
He also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across the UK.
The money helped locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues were granted monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.
"The concept that funds from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
When Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer the singer announced that the act would donate their prize money to the charity the charity.
That year, artist the artist divided her award across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," the artist told the media.
Previously, the band contributed their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their group, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year they gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched the lives of others."
Last week, the trust shared it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.
One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
