Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k honor cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.
He was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his third album People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his beginning days.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.
The money supported spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in big venues backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his honor winnings to worthy causes.
Back when they received the prize in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the group would donate their cash to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her award across several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she shared with outlets.
Previously, they gave their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, alongside other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group gave their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated singer Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved two small stages in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by the arts council and music fans who buy "stakes" in the buildings.
