What charity, founded by J.K. Rowling in 2005, became known as Lumos?

The charity founded by J.K. Rowling in 2005 that became known as Lumos was the Children’s High Level Group.

Rowling helped establish the organization with politician Emma Nicholson after learning about children living in institutions and other harmful residential settings. Its original name was the Children’s High Level Group, and its early work focused on improving conditions for vulnerable children in Eastern Europe.

The organization was renamed Lumos in 2010. The new name refers to a spell in the Harry Potter books that produces light, reflecting the charity’s stated aim of helping children move from institutions into family-based care and community support.

Lumos is separate from Rowling’s charitable trust, Volant Charitable Trust, which supports projects involving social deprivation, multiple sclerosis, and women’s health. Confusing those organizations can lead to the wrong answer when identifying the charity’s original name.