Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's independent concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the award on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the top album of the previous year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from performances in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when the band won the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her prize between multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they donated their funds to the community center that supported their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year they gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was ample," remarked artist Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
One venue in that area and the second in that location were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
