Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the MVT, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
Fender was presented with the award on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous local spots across Britain.
The money supported locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained funding support in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has said.
Fender is among several artists to give his award prize money to worthy causes.
In they received the award in 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her award between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite told a publication.
Previously, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other independent music bodies.
Also winners that year the group gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Winning was ample," remarked artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT announced it had rescued two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in that area and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
