The artist has given the full amount of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's independent live music spots.
The star was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the best record of the previous year.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also took part, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to help thirty-eight local spots across the UK.
These funds assisted locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from floods, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted artists and audiences.
"The notion that money from concerts in major spaces backs the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
The musician is far from the only musician to donate his honor winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they earned the award in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would contribute their cash to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her bounty between multiple good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," she shared with outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.
And winners that year the group donated their award to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the condition.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success impacted somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT announced it had protected several local spots in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.
