The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the UK's grassroots live music spots.
The star was given the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues had in his beginning days.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.
These funds assisted venues that were confronting possible closure due to challenges stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has commented.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.
When they earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Cocker announced that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty between several good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required better apparatus," she told a publication.
Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that developed their group, alongside other independent music bodies.
And the 1994 recipients M People contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," said artist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved two grassroots venues in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.
One venue in Southampton and the second in the city were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.
