Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25k award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's independent concert spaces.
He was given the award on mid-October as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues played in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
He also took part, raising over £100k on his live tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.
These funds helped spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in improving amenities and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that money from concerts in big venues helps the local stages, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his award winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their release the album, lead singer the singer stated that the band would donate their prize money to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist she divided her prize between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist explained to a publication.
Previously, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year M People donated their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," stated artist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected a couple of small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the second in that location were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the venues.
