The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award winnings to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's small concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his latest record People Watching was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has chosen to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function local spots had in his initial steps.
"I would not have achieved this success if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
The money supported locations that were dealing with possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and fans.
"The concept that money from concerts in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize funds to worthy causes.
Back when the band received the prize in 1996 for their album their work, frontman the singer announced that the act would donate their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty among multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective donated their prize money to the community center that supported their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients they gave their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said singer Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had protected a couple of local spots in that region, by placing them under local control.
The first in that area and the second in the city were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the venues.
