Financial Advisor, a trade publication for wealth advisors, details the growing interest in impact investing and the products available in the market now.

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"Imagine investing in - not donating to - nonprofits that make small business loans in Appalachia, develop affordable housing in New Orleans, support fair trade initiatives for chocolate and coffee growers, or maybe extend credit to micro-entrepreneurs or small businesses that sell clean energy or deliver access to water in the developing world.

"Or perhaps your clients prefer to invest in a for-profit loan fund that supports organic farms, or a private equity fund that preserves ranchland or develops sustainable forests. Or a venture capital fund focused on climate change solutions.

"Welcome to the world of 'impact investing,' a way to invest to solve the world's social and environmental problems while earning a financial return - as little as a return of capital to as much as well-above-market rate.

"These investments, which range from CDs in community banks to private placements limited to accredited investors, can also include various tranches in massive development projects involving partnerships between governments, foundations, banks and pension funds."

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