Lumos is the charity founded by J.K. Rowling in 2005.
Rowling established the organization as the Children’s High Level Group after reading about children living in institutions in Eastern Europe. It was later renamed Lumos, referencing the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. The charity campaigns for children to leave orphanages and other institutions and to receive family-based or community-based care instead.
Lumos works internationally with governments, local organizations, and professionals. Its focus is not simply on removing children from institutions; it also supports systems that prevent unnecessary separation from families and provide appropriate services in communities.
The organization should not be confused with Gingerbread. Rowling became president of Gingerbread in 2000, but Lumos is the charity she founded. The name “Lumos” comes from Rowling’s fictional world, while the charity’s work addresses real-world child welfare.