Sam Fender has given the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the trust for venues, which works to save the United Kingdom's small live music spots.
Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues had in his early career.
"As an artist would not have achieved this success if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues were granted funding support in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.
"The idea that money from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
He is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician she shared her prize among multiple charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," the artist told outlets.
In recent years, the band donated their prize money to the community center that supported their band, alongside other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved a couple of small stages in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and the second in that location were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by a national body and music fans who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
