The star has donated the full amount of his £25k award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to protect the Britain's independent music venues.
Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the best record of the past year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.
Recently, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped spaces that were confronting potential shutdown due to issues arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that positively impacted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from performances in major spaces backs the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
He is far from the only musician to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
In Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer the singer declared that the group would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer she split her award across a few charities, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I donated a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," she told a publication.
Two years ago, the band gave their funds to the youth organization that supported their group, alongside other local music groups.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"The victory was sufficient," stated singer Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."
Recently, the MVT shared it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to local control.
The Joiners in Southampton and the other in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.
