Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations were granted funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from performances in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
He is far from the only musician to give his honor funds to worthy causes.
When they earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her prize between a few charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched another person's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in that area and the other in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
