Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which works to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was awarded the prize on mid-October as his new release People Watching was named the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots had in his early career.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation assisted spaces that were facing imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and audiences.
"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his award prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer the singer stated that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
That year, artist the artist split her bounty across several organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," she told the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients M People gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Winning was ample," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
In the past week, the MVT announced it had rescued two local spots in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.
The Joiners in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by a national body and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.
