Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the MVT, which works to protect the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
He was given the prize on October 16 as his third album People Watching was declared the best record of the past year.
Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their admission fees, which supports smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.
The money helped spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations obtained funding support in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The notion that money from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
Fender is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
In the band received the prize in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, lead singer the singer declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
That year, artist she split her award among a few organizations, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," she shared with the media.
Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the youth organization that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.
And winners that year they gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in the South East, by bringing them into community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the properties.
