The star has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the Britain's small live music spots.
The star was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release his work was named the outstanding release of the previous year.
He has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues had in his early career.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, top acts such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous local spots across the UK.
The donation supported venues that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues arising from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, conflicts and sound issues.
Other venues received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," the star has commented.
He is among several artists to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
Back when Pulp earned the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her award among several charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," she shared with a publication.
Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year they contributed their award to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the cake. So our success impacted another person's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.
