The star has given the complete sum of his £25k award winnings to the MVT, which functions to protect the UK's independent live music spots.
Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release People Watching was chosen as the top album of the previous year.
Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.
"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation helped venues that were facing potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and audiences.
"The concept that funds from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
The musician is not the first artist to contribute his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
Back when they received the award in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, vocalist the singer announced that the group would give their winnings to the charity War Child.
That year, artist the artist split her award across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," she shared with outlets.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients M People donated their award to a MS organization after a close contact was diagnosed the illness.
"Winning was ample," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the MVT announced it had rescued several small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "shares" in the venues.
