Lumos is the J.K. Rowling charity established in 2005 to help vulnerable children and families.
The organization was founded as the Children’s High Level Group, later renamed Lumos. Its work focuses on ending the institutionalization of children and supporting family-based care, community services, and protection systems. The charity operates internationally and argues that children generally do better in safe family environments than in large residential institutions.
Rowling became involved after reading a newspaper article about children in institutions. The article showed children confined behind bars, which prompted her to help create an organization addressing the problem. Lumos has worked with governments, professionals, and local organizations on reforming child-care systems.
The name Lumos comes from a light-producing spell in the Harry Potter universe. That connection reflects Rowling’s involvement, but Lumos’s programs are real-world humanitarian work rather than fictional storytelling. Comic Relief, which supported some of Rowling’s companion books, is a separate charity.