Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the UK's small concert spaces.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the best record of the previous year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, well-known musicians such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
The money assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues obtained monetary aid in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and audiences.
"The concept that money from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is not the first artist to contribute his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when they won the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their cash to the organization War Child.
In 2002, artist the artist divided her prize across a few charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
In recent years, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success affected somebody else's life."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
