The artist has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which works to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.
He was awarded the award on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the top album of the past year.
He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his beginning days.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," remarked Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.
He also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues arising from flooding, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, court cases and sound issues.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and concertgoers.
"The notion that revenue from concerts in large arenas backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
Fender is far from the only musician to give his honor funds to worthy causes.
When the band received the prize in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
That year, rapper and singer she split her award across several charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," she explained to a publication.
Previously, they gave their funds to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," said artist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT announced it had saved several small stages in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the second in that location were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the properties.
