J.K. Rowling established Lumos in 2005 to help end the institutionalisation of children.
The organization was originally called the Children’s High Level Group. Rowling became involved after reading about children living in institutions and later helped develop the charity’s work supporting family-based care and community services. It was renamed Lumos in 2010, taking its name from a magical light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books.
Lumos advocates for children who are separated from families or placed in institutions, including children with disabilities. Its work has included research, policy advocacy, and support for systems intended to keep children in families and communities whenever possible.
Lumos is sometimes confused with a fictional organization from Harry Potter because of the name. It is a real international charity, and its mission concerns child welfare rather than wizarding education. Rowling has also supported other charitable causes, including multiple-sclerosis research and poverty relief.