The artist has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the MVT, which works to save the UK's grassroots music venues.
The star was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was named the best record of the last 12 months.
He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his early career.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the performances I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
He also participated, generating more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.
These funds supported venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues arising from floods, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues received funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just common sense," Sam Fender has stated.
The musician is among several artists to donate his award winnings to worthy causes.
When the band won the prize in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the group would give their prize money to the non-profit the charity.
In 2002, musician the artist split her bounty across a few good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also donated a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she told outlets.
In recent years, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the youth organization that supported their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked artist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the extra, because we had the cake. So our success touched somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT revealed it had rescued two small stages in the South East, by bringing them into public stewardship.
One venue in that area and the second in that location were purchased under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by a national body and music fans who buy "stakes" in the buildings.
