Think about it: Event creators are like superheroes.
They both use their superpowers to save the world: one from evil and the other from boring events!
We need all the event superheroes we can find to raise as much money as possible for Relay For Life (RFL).
RFL is an annual fundraising event organized by the American Cancer Society, where teams walk or run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
At Eventbrite, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting charities from across the globe, scaling their events, and reaching new crowds. We are also proud to have provided the American Cancer Society with a platform to connect with new participants.
In this article, we’ll share some fun and creative fundraising ideas for Relay For Life to help you raise money for a truly remarkable cause and also create a memorable experience for your attendees.
Table of Contents
Relay for fashion: Upside-down fashion show
Relay for cake: Bake sale (with a twist)
Relay for cocktails: Poolside cocktail party
Relay for victory: Zombie scavenger hunt
Relay for health: Yoga in the dark
Don’t see an idea that tickles your fancy? Don’t worry — we’ve got a whole bunch more. Download our complete Relay For Life fundraising ideas sheet to find the right one for you!

Relay for fashion: Upside-down fashion show
Fun factor: 😂😂😂
ROI: 💸💸
Effort: 💪💪💪
Use the power of fashion to bring your community together with a fully inclusive fashion show that’s open to all ages. For example, The Ultimate Talent Globe is hosting a fashion show for charity, complete with a pre-show VIP cocktail hour.
Take a wacky approach and host an ‘upside-down’ fashion show — think skirts worn as tops, jeans tied around as bandanas, and bras styled as fancy hats.
Invite local fashion micro-influencers to judge the event in exchange for exposure. Offer to promote their charitable contribution on your social media, and highlight that they’ll have the opportunity to network with other industry professionals.
💸How to encourage donations: Host a ridiculous (but hilarious) contest to see who can style a piece of clothing in the most absurd way. Offer a small prize for the winner, such as a $20 gift card or a photo with the local influencer you invite, and ask for a donation to enter the contest.

Relay for cake: Bake sale (with a twist)
Fun factor: 😂😂
ROI: 💸💸💸
Effort: 💪💪
It’s time to put a ‘Relay For Life spin’ on the traditional bake sale concept and turn yours into a fun relay race of its own.
Market the event as a ‘trial-run’ for the real event, but participants have to balance a cupcake on their heads as they complete a short running race.
At the end of the race, set up a little market complete with cake stalls, fresh lemonade stands, and face painting. You could even take inspiration from the ‘Great Brewery Bake Off’ by Lamplighter Brewing Co. and schedule a designated ‘audience tasting hour,’ and then encourage attendees to put in their vote for ‘dessert of the day that blew us away.’
💸How to encourage donations: You can monetize this event in so many ways. Sell at-the-door tickets with Eventbrite’s mobile check-in app, charge an entry fee for participating in the bake-sale race, ask for a small donation for the different cakes participants will wear on their heads, and last, but certainly not least, put a decent price on the delicious cakes available at your ‘end of race’ market stall.

Relay for cocktails: Poolside cocktail party
Fun factor: 😂
ROI: 💸💸💸
Effort: 💪💪💪
Nothing gets the attention of a fully-grown adult faster than free-flowing cocktails, pool floaties, and a luxurious party atmosphere.
Take a cue from Las Vegas Hip Hop Concierge, and host a cocktail pool party event at a high-end establishment like TAO Beach Dayclub. Use an established event venue to raise entry ticket prices, and create a special cocktail menu just for the event.
While this event takes a bit more preparation and funds to get up and running, it also has the largest return on investment (ROI) potential. The theme can be to sip, relax, and enjoy — all while donating to a great cause.
💸How to encourage donations: Take the guesswork out of donating by placing QR codes on the back of cocktail glasses, tables and chairs, and even merch t-shirts. With Eventbrite, you can easily create QR codes that lead attendees to your event website and collect donations all through the mobile check-in app.
Find out how Eventbrite can help you.

Relay for victory: Zombie scavenger hunt
Fun factor: 😂😂😂
ROI: 💸💸
Effort: 💪
The Walking Dead might be over, but the hunt for zombies lives on.
Get into character like Zombie Safari Dallas Events do, and create an in-depth backstory for your zombie event that includes government cover-ups, prisoners, and a dreaded virus.
Use riddles, puzzles, and clues to direct participants all over your town. Send them on a quest to find ‘the cure’ that will protect them from becoming a zombie. Have ‘zombies’ (or dressed-up volunteers if you can’t find any zombies willing to participate) to ‘chase’ them along their route to up the stakes.
Alternatively, you can create virtual clues like Kat Nelson’s with a fully digital host to keep costs low. That way, you can send large groups on their quest without even needing to see them in person!
💸How to encourage donations: Give participants the option to offer a small donation in exchange for clues.

Relay for health: Yoga in the dark
Fun factor: 😂😂
ROI: 💸💸💸
Effort: 💪
Picture this: Your attendees enter a unique venue, perhaps a dimly lit book store such as Boulder Book Store or a rooftop bar overlooking the city, like Monarch Rooftop.
They’re greeted by candles and a projector playing a video of the jungle. They can hear small insects, running water, and whistling trees through a small speaker.
Rows of plush yoga mats are laid on the floor, paired with soft blankets and comfortable bolsters — everything has been perfectly designed to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
For two hours, there are no distractions or interruptions, just pure mindfulness.
💸How to encourage donations: Take a leaf out of The Mindful Prof LLC’s playbook, and create a half-day ‘yoga escape’ or offer additional services at your event, such as a cacao ceremony, meditation class, or even a sound-bath experience for an extra donation.
Get started with our Relay For Life fundraiser ideas
When it comes to making a difference, few events are as impactful as RFL. For event creators, this is an opportunity to use your ‘event powers’ to help in the fight against cancer.
One effective way to promote your RFL fundraiser and spread awareness to as many people as possible is by listing it on Eventbrite’s marketplace.
With millions of active event-goers searching for unique and exciting events in their local area, Eventbrite can help you reach a wider audience and maximize your fundraising efforts.