The artist has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.
He was presented with the prize on mid-October as his third album the album was named the best record of the previous year.
The musician has decided to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16 percent of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.
He also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported locations that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges caused by floods, blazes and bereavements, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The idea that revenue from concerts in major spaces supports the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.
He is among several artists to give his award winnings to charitable organizations.
Back when Pulp won the award in the year 1996 for their release Different Class, lead singer Cocker announced that the group would contribute their prize money to the organization War Child.
That year, musician Ms Dynamite shared her prize between several good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.
Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the youth organization that nurtured their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said singer Heather Small. "The cash was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."
Recently, the MVT announced it had saved several local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.
One venue in that area and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the venues.
