Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the MVT, which works to save the UK's small concert spaces.
The star was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the previous year.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function small stages had in his early career.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to give his honor funds to good deeds.
In the band won the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, frontman the singer declared that the band would give their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize across a few organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist explained to outlets.
In recent years, the band contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People gave their prize to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.
"The victory was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had protected two local spots in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The first in that area and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.
