Set a goal for the amount of money you'd like to raise via your fund-raiser. Keep in mind that the more money you plan to raise the more fund-raisers and time will be required, since most simple fund-raisers bring in less than $1,000.
Check with your local governments to find out what laws are in place for fund-raisers in your community. Some communities require that public fund-raisers, such as car washes or bake sales, be hosted by a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. If that is the case, you may need to consider having a private fund-raising dinner at a convention center or other private business such as a hotel. These fund-raisers, while substantially more expensive than a car wash or bake sale, may bring in more money than simple fund-raisers.
Chose a date or dates for your fund-raiser. You will need to carefully research the dates by checking with the local Chamber of Commerce to make sure there is nothing big going on on the date you choose that will draw people away from your fund-raiser. If there is a festival or something big going on that day, get in touch with the event's organizer and ask if there is a way you can purchase booth space and maybe hold a fund-raising raffle. This will allow you to "ride the coattails" of the bigger event and hopefully draw more people. If you are able to get a booth, don't forget to make fliers promoting your upcoming fund-raisers to hand out to those who come by your booth.
Decide what type of fund-raiser you'd like to have. Fund-raisers such as bake sales and car washes are easy to organize and are also fairly inexpensive. For car washes consider having businesses sponsor you wash. In turn, provide them with advertising space on fliers and T-shirts. Bake sales are best to hold at the front of stores, but you need to check with local government offices and find out if you need a permit to sell the food. Also, be sure to check well in advance with the manager of the store and make sure it is permissible for you to have a bake sale in front of the store. Other fund-raisers for a television taping might be a raffle, a small-screen "Trivial Pursuit" contest, or a big-screen screening of a popular television series season. If the television show you are planning to tape has a theme such as science fiction, history or biology, use that theme to make your fund-raiser stand out.
Plan your fund-raiser. Make sure you plan all the little details such as the layout of the tables and who will help you run your fund-raiser. Delegate chores, such as money taking, and set up volunteers to free you up to oversee the overall running of the fund-raiser and allow you to meet and greet those who attend. Consider having T-shirts made up so those who attend the fund-raiser can easily identify those who are working at the fund-raiser.
Publicize your fund-raiser. Use free community calendars in newspapers and on local radio stations, and post fliers at local businesses that will allow it.
Have the fund-raiser. Make sure that you arrive early enough to make sure the fund-raiser is set up the way you want it and to give yourself time to handle any small details that may have fallen through the cracks. Make sure all of your volunteers know exactly what their duties are and to remind everyone to smile; say "thank you" for any and all donations; and be friendly, excited and positive about the taping.