Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the MVT, which operates to preserve the Britain's small live music spots.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages played in his early career.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was starting out," said the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to assist 38 small stages across Britain.
These funds supported spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading amenities and gear that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in big venues helps the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the prize in the year 1996 for their album the album, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would give their cash to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician she split her award between multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.
In recent years, the band donated their funds to the community center that supported their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
And winners that year the group contributed their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the illness.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued two local spots in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in Southampton and the second in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.
