The star has donated the entirety of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the UK's independent live music spots.
He was given the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the best record of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues had in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
He also took part, collecting over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.
These funds supported spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when the band earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award across several charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that nurtured their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," remarked singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success affected another person's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected a couple of small stages in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
