Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the MVT, which functions to save the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
He also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across the UK.
The money helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and audiences.
"The idea that revenue from shows in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their record their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her award among multiple organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the community center that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also winners that year the group donated their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.
"Winning was sufficient," said artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the trust shared it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the second in that location were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.
