The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 award prize money to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the past year.
Fender has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which goes to help smaller concert halls.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his recent tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted venues that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by floods, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.
"The notion that funds from performances in big venues supports the local stages, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
He is far from the only musician to give his honor prize money to charitable organizations.
Back when the band earned the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist Cocker stated that the band would contribute their prize money to the non-profit War Child.
During 2002, artist the artist split her award across several charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required updated gear," the artist explained to a publication.
Two years ago, they gave their funds to the youth organization that nurtured their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Also winners that year the group contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the illness.
"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our victory touched somebody else's life."
In the past week, the MVT shared it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.
One venue in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by a national body and supporters who acquire "shares" in the properties.
