Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to save the UK's independent live music spots.
The star was given the prize on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was declared the top album of the past year.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted performers and concertgoers.
"The idea that funds from concerts in major spaces helps the local stages, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award funds to charitable organizations.
In Pulp earned the trophy in 1996 for their record the album, frontman the singer stated that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her prize between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," she explained to a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the local youth club that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," said singer Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues program, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
