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The star has given the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was awarded the prize on mid-October as his new release the album was named the top album of the previous year.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the North East, and further afield, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation supported spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading facilities and gear that positively impacted musicians and concertgoers.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in major spaces helps the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.

Fender is among several artists to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.

When they received the trophy in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, vocalist the singer announced that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, musician the artist divided her prize between multiple good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed better apparatus," she told outlets.

Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

And the 1994 recipients M People gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved a couple of small stages in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

The first in the city and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the Own Our Venues program, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.