Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the MVT, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release the album was declared the best record of the previous year.
He has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues played in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported venues that were confronting possible closure due to issues stemming from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Additional spaces received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that revenue from shows in big venues backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his award funds to charitable organizations.
When Pulp earned the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty among several good causes, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist told a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that supported their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"Winning was quite enough," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the trust revealed it had rescued several grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
