Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 award prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the Britain's small live music spots.
The star was given the prize on October 16 as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the performances I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation assisted venues that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Additional spaces obtained monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in big venues backs the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his award funds to good deeds.
When they earned the prize in 1996 for their release their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite shared her bounty between several charities, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," she explained to outlets.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their funds to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners the group contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had saved several grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
