J.K. Rowling’s charity supporting disadvantaged children worldwide is Lumos.
Rowling founded the organization in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group. It works to end the institutionalization of children and promote family-based care, community services, and support that allows children to grow up safely in families rather than large residential institutions.
The organization adopted the name Lumos in 2010. The name comes from the Latin word for “light” and also echoes the magical light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. Lumos operates internationally and has worked with governments, communities, and partner organizations.
Lumos is not a general literacy charity or a Harry Potter fan organization. Its focus is child protection and care reform. Rowling has also supported other charitable causes, including multiple sclerosis research and anti-poverty initiatives, but Lumos is the organization most directly associated with her work for children separated from families.