Sam Fender has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's grassroots music venues.
Fender was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.
The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function small stages played in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous small stages across Britain.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that money from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to good deeds.
In Pulp received the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Cocker stated that the act would give their prize money to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer she split her prize across multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked better apparatus," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the community center that supported their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected several local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.
One venue in that area and the other in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by a national body and music fans who buy "shares" in the buildings.
