LUMOS FOUNDATION
Lumos works to transform the lives of disadvantaged children by facilitating the end of institutional care for good. It does this in two ways:At a policy level to accelerate and improve the quality of reform in health, education and social protection servicesAt a practical level working with providers of children's services to demonstrate the value of family-based care
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net funds movement deficit of £704k for the year ended December 31, 2024, resulting in total reserves of £5.6m. The trustees confirm that free reserves of £2.7m are sufficient to meet the stated policy target of 3 to 6 months of operating expenses, ensuring the charity remains a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The target level of free reserves is equivalent to approximately 3 to 6 months operating expenses.” — page 17
“Lumos Foundation Operations Limited operates as a trading entity for Lumos Foundation and donates its distributable profits to Lumos Foundation.” — page 19
In the news
- Eddie Redmayne talks up Lumos Foundation fundraiser for children
- Complete set of signed Harry Potter first editions to benefit the Lumos Foundation, offered by Aurora Pedro Pinto, CEO of one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal,in Christie’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts Auction - Christie's
- J.K. Rowling’s Lumos Foundation
- Joanne Rowling’s Lumos Foundation to reform orphanages in Ukraine
- Ten Years Later: Lumos Foundation’s Push into Global Child Welfare
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- J.K. Rowling — Founder
- Eugenia Godoroja — Head of Child and Youth Participation
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- Kenneth Ian Towlechair
- Dr Doreen Mulenga
- Elizabeth Lule
- Keith Schilling
- Neal Gandhi
- Rosanna Burcheri
- Sophie Bridge
- USMAN ALI
- Zahed Kamathia
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £5.7m | £6.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £7.9m | £5.0m |
| 31/12/2022 | £7.1m | £7.4m |
| 31/12/2021 | £4.9m | £8.2m |
| 31/12/2020 | £5.5m | £9.9m |
Common questions
Is LUMOS FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net funds movement deficit of £704k for the year ended December 31, 2024, resulting in total reserves of £5.6m. The trustees confirm that free reserves of £2.7m are sufficient to meet the stated policy target of 3 to 6 months of operating expenses, ensuring the charity remains a going concern. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Saffery LLP.
Who funds LUMOS FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name LUMOS FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include THE FYRISH FOUNDATION, THE JIGSAW NETWORK C.I.O., THE LOWER GREEN FOUNDATION, GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE FYRISH FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £314k | |
| THE JIGSAW NETWORK C.I.O. | FY2021 | £50k | |
| THE JIGSAW NETWORK C.I.O. | FY2023 | £50k | |
| THE LOWER GREEN FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £8k | |
| THE LOWER GREEN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £1k | |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £1k | |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £500 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE PAYBACK TIME TRUST | 1 | £125k |
| GULF FOR GOOD | 1 | £72k |
| THE SQUIRES FOUNDATION | 1 | £42k |
| KINGSLAND CHURCH COLCHESTER | 1 | £33k |
| DUCHY HEALTH CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £22k |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 1 | £20k |
| RAYLEIGH BAPTIST CHURCH | 1 | £12k |
| MEETINGS INDUSTRY MEETING NEEDS | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- Luma Foundation
- LUMULE FOUNDATION
- THE LOTUS CHILDRENS FOUNDATION
- CRY IN THE DARK
- FOUNDATIONS - WHAT WORKS CENTRE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
- THOMAS CORAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN (FORMERLY FOUNDLING HOSPITAL)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LUMOS FOUNDATION | £5.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Luma Foundation | £178k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LUMULE FOUNDATION | £171k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE LOTUS CHILDRENS FOUNDATION | £186k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CRY IN THE DARK | £326k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| FOUNDATIONS - WHAT WORKS CENTRE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | £7.2m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |