J.K. Rowling founded Lumos in 2005 to support children living in institutions.
The organization was originally called the Children’s High Level Group. Rowling became involved after reading about children in institutional care, and the charity worked to promote family-based care and help end the unnecessary separation of children from their families. It adopted the name Lumos in 2010, referring to a light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books.
Lumos operates as an international nonprofit organization focused on reforming systems that place children in orphanages or other institutions. Its work emphasizes family reunification, kinship care, foster care, adoption where appropriate, and community-based support.
The charity is distinct from Rowling’s book-related charitable projects, including the proceeds connected with The Tales of Beedle the Bard. The name can also be confused with the fictional “Lumos” spell, but the real organization’s mission concerns children’s rights and care systems.