The artist has donated the full amount of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to save the Britain's grassroots music venues.
The star was given the prize on mid-October as his new release the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.
The money helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to issues stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Other venues obtained funding support in modernizing infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.
"The idea that money from shows in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has said.
He is not the first artist to give his award funds to worthy causes.
In they earned the trophy in the mid-90s for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, musician she split her prize among multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," the artist shared with the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the youth organization that supported their band, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally winners that year M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.
"Winning was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust revealed it had rescued several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
One venue in the city and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
