Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was presented with the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was named the top album of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 small stages across the UK.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations were granted funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.
In they won the award in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would give their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician she shared her award among multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told a publication.
Two years ago, the band contributed their prize money to the local youth club that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.
And 1994 winners M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved several grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in the city and the second in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by a national body and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
