The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the UK's independent music venues.
He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release People Watching was named the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I did around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his live tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped locations that were facing imminent closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and noise complaints.
Additional spaces were granted financial assistance in improving facilities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
He is not the first artist to contribute his award funds to good deeds.
In the band received the award in the year 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Cocker stated that the group would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her bounty between several charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," the artist told outlets.
In recent years, the band gave their winnings to the community center that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients the group donated their winnings to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was ample," remarked singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."
In the past week, the trust shared it had protected two local spots in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and the other in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
