The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's independent music venues.
He was awarded the award on 16 October as his latest record his work was declared the top album of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.
"I personally would not have achieved this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, top acts like the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
The donation supported venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in improving infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.
"The idea that money from shows in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has said.
The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.
In Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their album their work, frontman Cocker stated that the band would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.
In 2002, musician she divided her bounty among multiple good causes, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," she explained to outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory impacted the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several small stages in that region, by placing them under local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in that location were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who purchase "shares" in the venues.
