The artist has donated the entirety of his £25,000 award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the United Kingdom's independent concert spaces.
He was awarded the prize on mid-October as his new release People Watching was named the outstanding release of the past year.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
He also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous small stages across Britain.
The donation supported locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Other venues received funding support in upgrading amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The idea that money from concerts in major spaces helps the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when Pulp won the award in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
That year, musician she split her award across multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," she shared with a publication.
Previously, they contributed their prize money to the community center that supported their group, alongside other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the trust announced it had rescued a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
