Lumos is J.K. Rowling’s charity for vulnerable children and young people.
Rowling founded the organization in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group, after becoming concerned about children living in institutions. It was renamed Lumos in 2010. The name refers to the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books and symbolizes the charity’s aim of bringing children out of institutional care.
Lumos campaigns for family-based care and works internationally to help children separated from their families. Its approach emphasizes family reunification, foster care, adoption where appropriate and community support rather than large residential institutions.
Lumos is sometimes confused with Rowling’s personal charitable foundation, Volant Charitable Trust. Volant was established earlier and supports causes including multiple sclerosis research and social welfare, while Lumos focuses specifically on children and institutionalization.