J.K. Rowling founded the charity Lumos to help disadvantaged children and promote family-based care instead of institutional placement. The organization was originally established in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group.
Rowling became involved after reading a newspaper article about children in institutions. The charity later adopted the name Lumos, inspired by the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. Its work focuses on children separated from their families by poverty, disability, conflict, or other pressures.
Lumos works internationally with governments, communities, and care systems. Its stated aim is to help end the institutionalization of children and support family and community alternatives.
A common misunderstanding is that Lumos is mainly a literary or Harry Potter fan charity. Although its name has a fictional origin, its programs concern child welfare and social care. Rowling has also supported other charitable causes, including multiple sclerosis research and anti-poverty initiatives.