Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25,000 award cash to the MVT, which works to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
The star was given the award on mid-October as his third album the album was chosen as the top album of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues had in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
The money helped venues that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations were granted funding support in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his award prize money to good deeds.
When they won the trophy in the mid-90s for their release their work, lead singer the singer declared that the act would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her award across multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," the artist told a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they donated their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in that area and the second in that location were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
