Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the Britain's small live music spots.
The star was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release his work was chosen as the best record of the past year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages had in his early career.
"As an artist would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from shows in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
The musician is among several artists to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
When Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would donate their cash to the charity the charity.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award across multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite told the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners M People gave their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had rescued two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the properties.
