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Powered by Pandemic ‘Government Cheese,’ MissoulaEvents.net Launches CheddarBoard April 6th

#SpreadTheChed supports local artists, small business, and nonprofits

MissoulaEvents.net is getting cheesy.

 

Western Montana’s original beloved online calendar, dreamed up 15 years ago by tech entrepreneurs Colin Hickey and Molly Bradford, has announced the launch of CheddarBoard. CheddarBoard is the result of parent company Gatherboard investing nearly $90,000 in COVID-19 stimulus grants for innovation, and it includes a new beta set of features that make it easier for local artists, nonprofits, and businesses to accept community contributions (and soon ticketing) through livestream and on-demand pre-recorded events.

 

The name is a nod to the “government cheese” that helped build CheddarBoard. The new features mean that MissoulaEvents.net can now empower anyone joining or viewing a virtual or real-life event to contribute to organizations and artists hosting the event, keeping more of the “cheddar” local. 


The new platform launches with #SpreadTheChed, an online event-packed week that begins Tuesday, April 6 and runs through Saturday, April 10.
Sign up and stay “in the cheese” at http://www.missoulaevents.net/cms/cheddarboard/. Dozens of local businesses are offering ChedCode discounts during the month of April to celebrate Missoula’s homegrown economy, and by signing up, the public can take advantage of great deals.

 

“I think everyone who is a parent or who has watched the ‘Social Dilemma’ has heartburn over giving our money and private information over to giant companies like Facebook,” said Bradford, CEO and co-founder. “CheddarBoard is rooted in community, and it keeps the revenue associated with hosting top-notch online events in the community.”

 

While Missoula is the first market to experience the brie-lliance of CheddarBoard, GatherBoard plans to deploy the same technology soon to roughly 40 other markets, including 10 in Montana. 

 

“We’re thrilled to #SpreadTheChed in our hometown first, but we know there are hundreds of local communities that value the ability to find, save, and view livestream and pre-recorded events from all GatherBoard calendars,” said Bradford. 

 

CheddarBoard interfaces with YouTube, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Zoom and other video platforms. According to Bradford, the vast majority of each donation will go to the local event creators, with a small processing fee, which can be covered by the donor.  Payment options are powered by Stripe, and after the beta release, additional options will include Venmo, PayPal, GooglePay, ApplePay.

 

Missoula’s launch week events include everything from art tours and classes to free virtual yoga and Oula dance fitness classes to a concert with Tom Catmull and Travis Yost. Launch week ends on Saturday evening, April 10 with a feminist comedy show at Zootown Arts Community Center featuring Sarah Aswell. 

 

ABOUT GATHERBOARD

Founded in Missoula, MT in 2006, Gatherboard is the online calendar designed to unite and strengthen your community. Gatherboard powers about 40 calendars across North America. To learn more about acquiring a license in your community, visit http://www.gatherboard.com. To join #SpreadTheChed, visit http://www.missoulaevents.net/cms/cheddarboard/

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