The artist has handed over the full amount of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
Fender was given the award on October 16 as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the past year.
He has chosen to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages played in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their admission fees, which supports local stages.
Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted spaces that were facing possible closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and gear that directly benefitted performers and audiences.
"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
The musician is among several artists to donate his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
In they received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, vocalist Cocker declared that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her prize between a few organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients the group gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success touched another person's life."
Recently, the trust revealed it had saved two local spots in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and The Croft in that location were acquired under the public acquisition program, which is backed by a national body and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
