The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record his work was named the top album of the past year.
The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
The money assisted locations that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties caused by floods, fires and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and concertgoers.
"The concept that funds from shows in big venues helps the local stages, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has stated.
Fender is not the first artist to give his Mercury Prize winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when they earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, lead singer the singer stated that the group would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, artist she shared her prize among a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist shared with the media.
Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the youth organization that developed their act, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also 1994 winners they gave their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said artist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted another person's life."
Recently, the trust shared it had protected two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The first in the city and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.
