The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25,000 honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's small music venues.
The star was given the cheque on mid-October as his latest record his work was chosen as the best record of the last 12 months.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – about 16% of the total UK scene.
Recently, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which supports smaller concert halls.
Fender also participated, raising over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 local spots across the UK.
These funds helped spaces that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues arising from floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.
"The idea that funds from performances in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.
Fender is among several artists to contribute his award prize money to worthy causes.
In the band won the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would contribute their winnings to the organization War Child.
In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite divided her prize among a few good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they gave their prize money to the local youth club that nurtured their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally the 1994 recipients the group donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the disease.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our winning impacted the lives of others."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two grassroots venues in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.
