Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which works to protect the UK's independent music venues.
The star was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the best record of the past year.
He has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues played in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also participated, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to give his award prize money to charitable organizations.
In Pulp earned the award in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, musician she shared her award across multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also donated a grand to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients M People gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."
In the past week, the trust revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who buy "shares" in the buildings.
