Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k award winnings to the MVT, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was named the top album of the previous year.
The musician has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his beginning days.
"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by floods, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues received financial assistance in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to donate his award prize money to good deeds.
In the band earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite split her bounty between a few good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that developed their band, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally winners that year they contributed their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory affected another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The Joiners in the city and the second in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.
