The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the Britain's grassroots live music spots.
The star was given the award on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.
He has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role 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 area, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.
He also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight local spots across Britain.
The donation supported spaces that were confronting possible closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.
Additional spaces received monetary aid in improving amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in big venues supports the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has said.
He is among several artists to donate his award funds to worthy causes.
In Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the act would donate their winnings to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist the artist split her prize among a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," she shared with outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the community center that nurtured their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a MS organization after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."
In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were bought under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the properties.
