Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the award on October 16 as his latest record his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by including a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous small stages across Britain.
The money supported locations that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from shows in big venues supports the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
He is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.
When the band earned the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the group would donate their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, artist the artist shared her award across a few charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required better apparatus," the artist told outlets.
Two years ago, they contributed their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the disease.
"The victory was ample," said vocalist Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."
In the past week, the trust announced it had protected a couple of local spots in that region, by transferring them to local control.
One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
