Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was named the top album of the previous year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 small stages across Britain.
The money assisted locations that were dealing with possible closure due to issues stemming from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The notion that money from performances in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to worthy causes.
Back when they won the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, frontman the singer stated that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
That year, musician the artist shared her bounty across several organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," she shared with a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the community center that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"Winning was sufficient," said artist Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
Last week, the trust shared it had protected several small stages in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.
