Sam Fender has donated the complete sum of his £25k honor prize money to the MVT, which functions to protect the Britain's small concert spaces.
He was given the prize on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, well-known musicians such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across the UK.
The donation assisted venues that were confronting imminent closure due to issues arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from performances in large arenas helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.
Fender is among several artists to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp received the award in 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite shared her prize between several charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Previously, the band gave their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their act, alongside other independent music bodies.
Also winners that year the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.
"Winning was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in the South East, by placing them under local control.
One venue in that area and the other in that location were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.
