Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
He was given the cheque on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also took part, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to help thirty-eight local spots across the UK.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained funding support in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and fans.
"The concept that funds from performances in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to good deeds.
When they received the prize in the mid-90s for their release their work, lead singer Cocker stated that the group would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.
During 2002, artist she shared her award between multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective donated their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.
And winners that year M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Winning was quite enough," said singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued several local spots in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "shares" in the venues.
