J.K. Rowling established the charity Lumos to support children and families.
The organization began in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group, founded by Rowling and the Member of the European Parliament Emma Nicholson. It was renamed Lumos in 2010. The charity works internationally to end the institutionalization of children and to help families receive community-based support.
Lumos argues that children are often placed in institutions because of poverty, disability, discrimination, or a lack of family services rather than because institutional care is inherently necessary. Its programs promote family reunification, foster care, adoption where appropriate, and local services.
The name Lumos comes from a light-related magical term in the Harry Potter stories, but the charity’s work is a real-world child-welfare campaign. It is distinct from Comic Relief and Save the Children, which are separate organizations with broader charitable remits.