Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which functions to preserve the UK's small live music spots.
He was presented with the award on October 16 as his latest record the album was declared the best record of the past year.
He has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped locations that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The idea that funds from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to donate his award funds to charitable organizations.
Back when the band received the award in the mid-90s for their release their work, frontman Cocker declared that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
That year, rapper and singer the artist shared her prize between multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Previously, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other independent music bodies.
And winners that year the group contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched another person's life."
Recently, the trust announced it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.
The first in the city and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.
