Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was presented with the prize on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.
The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots played in his early career.
"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across the UK.
The donation supported locations that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from performances in big venues supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to give his award funds to good deeds.
When the band earned the award in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist she divided her prize between multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist told outlets.
Previously, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year they gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the trust shared it had protected several grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.
