The star has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's independent concert spaces.
He was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The concept that revenue from performances in big venues backs the local stages, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to worthy causes.
Back when the band received the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, lead singer Cocker stated that the group would give their cash to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her bounty among multiple organizations, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT shared it had rescued several small stages in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.
The first in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "ownership units" in the properties.
