The artist has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was awarded the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.
He has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these locations have permanently closed – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.
He also took part, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that money from performances in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his award prize money to worthy causes.
When Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist split her bounty across a few charities, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," the artist shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they gave their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was diagnosed the disease.
"Winning was ample," said artist Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted another person's life."
Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in that area and the second in Bristol were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.
