Who is the Nightscout Foundation?

The Nightscout Foundation is made up of a collection of people that care about using open source technology to improve the lives of those with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and the people that care for them. The Board of Directors have been heavily involved with Nightscout from the beginning as users, developers and support team members. Current board members are James Wedding (Chair), Gail deVore, Kate Farnsworth, Tim Gunn, Theresa Hastings, and Weston Nordgren. You can learn more about the members here.

What is the Nightscout Foundation?

The Foundation is a non-profit that encourages the exploration and creation of open source technology projects that enhance the lives of people with T1D and those who love them.

Where are the corporate offices?

The Foundation is registered as a non-profit corporation in the state of Texas and in Colorado. By extension of the Nightscout user map, it is a world-wide effort.

When did this group start?

The Foundation is a spin off from the CGM in the Cloud Facebook group started in April of 2014, incorporated in October of 2014.

Why create another group?

Many groups exist to support T1D research projects and efforts. The Nightscout Foundation is unique in advocating for the “citizen scientist” that is using common development methods and the spirit of open-source development to create products and projects that offer immediate impact.

A formal organization also allows the open source IP to have a home. Nightscout code, imagery, and videos can be protected and licensed to fund the projects we support. The code will continue to be available under a GPL, but there is another oversight organization to help protect those rights.

Is the Nightscout Foundation a 501(c)3?

Yes.  Tax deductible donations can be made to the Nightscout Foundation.  Please check with your tax professional to see what that means for you.

How does this impact the discussions with the FDA, etc.?

Those on-going discussions (and any others with other agencies with companies,) are directly related to the software projects with members of the Board attending. If groups such as the FDA request that they deal with a group or single point of contact, the Foundation will act in that capacity.

Is this just for the Nightscout software?

No, the Nightscout Foundation aims to support a wide variety of projects such as the Artificial Pancreas Project, or the DIY Pancreas System. We are advocating for maker movement approach to T1D healthcare. While we will heavily invest time and resources into the expansion and continued development of the Nightscout Project, it is not the only focus.

Will Nightscout still be free?

Yes. Absolutely. There are multiple discussions around the idea of selling complete Nightscout setups, but the code, and the ability to use it, will be free and available under a GPL.

I’ve been using Nightscout for a little while, how does this impact me?

It doesn’t. The Foundation was created to have a single entity for many discussions with other developers, suppliers, organizations and agencies.

Why was the Nightscout Foundation incorporated in Texas?

At the time the Nightscout Foundation formed, Texas happened to be where one of the board members lived and could handle the process. Since then, Colorado has become the center of operations for the Foundation now that three Board members are residents of the Denver metro area.

What are the goals of the Foundation?

In the short term. the Foundation will continue to drive the development of the Nightscout DIY projects. In the longer term, we are developing relationships with the larger community, begin funding other projects, and offering scholarships for students with T1D pursuing science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degrees. The Foundation is now contributing to the ongoing development of Automatic Insulin Delivery systems by sponsoring conferences to encourage strong relationships and the incredible brain power that happens during these conferences - the fruits of those endeavors are further development of Nightscout, Loop, Trio, and AAPS. These are DIY insulin delivery systems that Nightscout has supported through grants and other support.

How can I help the Foundation?

You already are. Simply by caring about open healthcare data and ongoing advancement of technologyical tools for diabetes care, you’re already helping. You can also like our Facebook page or follow us on twitter (@NightscoutFound). Finally, you can support the Foundation financially by purchasing products when they are made available or by donating directly. Please consider the benefits you have received from the volunteers who are working hard to provide better tools for diabetes care.