Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the UK's small music venues.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
He also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.
In the band received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would give their cash to the charity the charity.
In 2002, musician the artist divided her prize across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed better apparatus," the artist told a publication.
Previously, they contributed their funds to the youth organization that supported their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners the group contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had protected two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "shares" in the properties.
