Sam Fender has donated the full amount of his £25k honor prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The money supported venues that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties stemming from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when the band earned the award in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, frontman the singer stated that the band would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician the artist split her bounty between several organizations, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist told the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the condition.
"The victory was ample," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning affected the lives of others."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected a couple of local spots in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
The first in Southampton and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is backed by a national body and supporters who acquire "shares" in the buildings.
