The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
The star was awarded the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages played in his beginning days.
"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the performances I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – about one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his live tour to assist 38 small stages across Britain.
The money assisted venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The idea that funds from performances in large arenas backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.
Back when they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would give their cash to the organization War Child.
During 2002, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award between multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite explained to a publication.
Two years ago, the band gave their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
And 1994 winners M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected two local spots in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who buy "shares" in the properties.
