When nonprofits provide risk capital

This story in DealBook highlights the role that charitable endowments can play as risk-taking investors.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has invested $22 mm in new drug research led by commercial outfit FoldRx.

The CF Foundation is particularly fond of these approaches, notes the Boston Globe:

"In 2007 alone, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation -- whose primary mission, through an affiliate called Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, is to keep the drug-development pipeline filled with promising prospects -- has earmarked $48 million for drug investment in pharmaceutical companies."

According to the Globe, The CF Foundation invested more than $138 million in Boston-area biotech firms alone. Puts a new spin on the term "aligned investing."

Tags: philanthropy, alignedinvesting, socialcapitalmarkets