Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award prize money to the MVT, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album his work was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous small stages across the UK.
These funds helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Other venues received financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
The musician is among several artists to give his award funds to good deeds.
Back when the band won the award in the year 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the band would contribute their cash to the organization the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her prize across multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," the artist told a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners M People donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated artist Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "shares" in the venues.
