The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the Britain's independent music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," remarked Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – about 16 percent of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across the UK.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The notion that funds from concerts in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
When they won the award in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, lead singer Cocker declared that the act would give their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist the artist divided her award among several good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," she told a publication.
In recent years, the band donated their funds to the community center that supported their act, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners the group contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was diagnosed the illness.
"The victory was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had protected two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who buy "stakes" in the venues.
