The artist has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize cash to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was awarded the prize on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function local spots had in his early career.
"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, well-known musicians like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also took part, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations received funding support in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
The musician is far from the only musician to give his award funds to worthy causes.
When they won the trophy in 1996 for their album the album, frontman Cocker stated that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, musician she split her prize between a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist shared with outlets.
Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that nurtured their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally winners that year they gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," said singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in the city and the other in that location were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by a national body and supporters who purchase "ownership units" in the buildings.
