Lumos is the J.K. Rowling charity that supports children affected by institutional care and poverty.
Rowling founded the charity in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group, together with European Parliament member Emma Nicholson. It was later renamed Lumos, after the light-producing spell in the Harry Potter books. The organization works to end the institutionalization of children and promote family- and community-based care.
Lumos has focused particularly on children separated from families because of poverty, disability, or inadequate social support. Its work includes advocacy, research, and assistance with systems designed to keep children safe in families and local communities rather than large residential institutions.
The charity’s name is sometimes confused with Rowling’s personal charitable foundation, Volant Charitable Trust. Volant supports causes including social deprivation, women’s health, and multiple sclerosis research. Lumos has a more specific focus on children’s care and institutionalization.