Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k award prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the UK's independent live music spots.
He was presented with the award on 16 October as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.
These funds assisted venues that were facing imminent closure due to challenges arising from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The notion that money from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
He is not the first artist to donate his award funds to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the prize in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman the singer declared that the group would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, musician she divided her prize among several good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist told a publication.
Previously, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And winners that year the group gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory affected somebody else's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in that area and The Croft in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the properties.
