So what will be in your future portfolio? Well, it could contain an investment in at-risk youth, mixed with some housing for the homeless, and balanced out by a position in asthma reduction.

At least that’s the idea behind social finance, which emphasizes investing based on values – think moral and ethical – versus just value. Basically, you put your money into a nonprofit program tackling a challenging social issue. If it meets its goals – say, for reintroducing inmates into the workforce – you earn a return.

It’s still in the experimental stage. But with a new generation of high net-worth investors seeking to merge money-making and charitable activities, we think the future looks promising. For everyone.