Investing With Your Heart

Community investing is thriving thanks to big-hearted investors. The idea is to direct a portion of one's portfolio, say five percent, to affordable housing, microenterprises, or social/environmental ventures that can't get investment capital through conventional channels. Investors receive a "charitable" financial return, typically 0-4 percent, plus the knowledge they have lifted others in need. Many community investing options are structured to be very low risk - hard to beat when traditional markets are taking a pounding.

The nonprofit Calvert Foundation offers pooled community investments to add convenience and further lessen risk. It also has a database of direct community investment opportunities.

800-248-0337
http://www.calvertgroup.com/foundation