Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 honor cash to the MVT, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
Fender was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.
Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.
These funds supported venues that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and fans.
"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has stated.
He is among several artists to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when the band received the award in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist the singer declared that the group would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, artist she split her prize across multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," she told a publication.
In recent years, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was ample," stated singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched another person's life."
Last week, the trust shared it had rescued a couple of small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is funded by a national body and music fans who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
