J.K. Rowling founded the children’s charity Lumos in 2005.
The organization was originally launched as the Children’s High Level Group, after Rowling became concerned about children living in institutions and orphanages. It was later renamed Lumos, taking its name from a light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. The charity works to end the institutionalization of children and support family-based care.
Lumos focuses on systems that separate children from families, including poverty, disability, and inadequate social services. Its work has included advocacy, research, and partnerships intended to help children live in families or community settings rather than large residential institutions.
The charity’s name is sometimes confused with a fictional organization or spell alone. In this context, Lumos is a real international charity founded by Rowling. Its work extends beyond the Harry Potter franchise and concerns child-protection and care systems worldwide.