The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was presented with the cheque on October 16 as his latest record the album was named the best record of the past year.
The musician has opted to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the essential function small stages played in his initial steps.
"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted monetary aid in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that money from concerts in major spaces helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize winnings to good deeds.
When Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Cocker declared that the act would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her bounty between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed better apparatus," the artist explained to outlets.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.
And the 1994 recipients they donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory affected another person's life."
Recently, the MVT shared it had protected two grassroots venues in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in the city and The Croft in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the properties.
