J.K. Rowling founded Lumos in 2005. The international charity works to end the institutionalization of children and support family-based care, education, and protection for children separated from their families.
The organization was originally established as the Children’s High Level Group, following Rowling’s involvement with an article about children living in institutions. It later adopted the name Lumos, drawn from the Harry Potter books’ light-producing spell. The name reflects the charity’s aim of bringing children out of institutions and into safer, more supportive settings.
Lumos has worked with governments, communities, and partner organizations in several countries. Its approach emphasizes family reunification where possible and alternatives such as foster care, kinship care, and small family-based settings. The charity is not a fictional organization from the wizarding world; it is a real humanitarian organization founded by Rowling.