Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k award winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
He was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
He also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.
Some locations obtained funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his award funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize among several organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.
Previously, they donated their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their band, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the disease.
"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of local spots in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.
The first in that area and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
