J.K. Rowling’s charity for disadvantaged children and young people is called Lumos. The organization works to end the institutionalization of children and promote family-based care.
Rowling established the charity in 2005, when it was originally known as the Children’s High Level Group. It was renamed Lumos in 2010, taking its name from the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. The organization’s work has included efforts in countries such as the Czech Republic, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Haiti.
Lumos is sometimes confused with Rowling’s other philanthropic activities, including her support for multiple sclerosis research and her creation of the Volant Charitable Trust. Lumos is specifically focused on children separated from families and on changing systems that place children in institutions.