Read How a Wayzata Man's Idea to Bring People Together Could Land Him $15k

The Minnesota Idea Open, a venture of Minnesota Community Foundation, announced last week that a Wayzata man is among the five finalists of "Challenge III: Working Together Across Cultures and Faiths."

Selected by a group of expert judges, the top-five ideas addressed the Challenge question: What is your best idea to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths?

“We are inspired by the enthusiasm Minnesotans have shown for addressing this critical issue facing Minnesota,” says Carleen Rhodes, president and CEO of Minnesota Community Foundation, which created the Idea Open. “Minnesota is more diverse than ever, and we need to find more ways to celebrate and work across our differences.”

More than 600 Idea Open submissions tackled the issue of interfaith and intercultural issues in Minnesota by entering this year’s challenge.

resident Jim Rettew's idea, "Multicultural Barn Raisings," expands the concept of community barn raisings to include all sorts of projects that bring together people of various skills, cultures and faiths to work on a shared goal. Read more at here or watch Jim’s video by clicking here.

All Minnesotans are invited to vote for their favorite ideas and help make them realities. Public voting opens Tuesday, May 15, 2012, and closes Friday, May 25, 2012.

Text BARN to 83224 to vote for Rettew's idea. Message and data rates may apply.

The winning ideas will be announced and celebrated between May 30 and June 8, 2012. 

The three ideas with the most votes will receive $15,000 each for implementation, and the two runners-up will receive $5,000 each.

The Idea Open is a venture of Minnesota Community Foundation with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Challenge III: Working Together Across Cultures and Faiths is made possible by One Nation and three affiliates of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners: Minnesota Community Foundation, the Multicultural Endowment and Facing Race.

Below are summaries of the four other finalists in this year's competition:

"Questions from the Future of Minnesota" by Paul and Akiko Maeker

Kids often say the most insightful things, and Paul's idea establishes a kid-friendly format for intercultural and interfaith dialogue about the future of our state. Read more by clicking here or watch Paul and Akiko’s video here. Text FUTURE to 83224 to vote for Paul’s idea. Message and data rates may apply.

"United by History" by Margaret Michaletz

Imagine watching a young Somali woman tell the story of how she came to Minnesota. Then imagine watching the story of a Danish immigrant who arrived more than 20 years ago. Margaret's idea is to record a series of oral histories by immigrants who have come to Steele County over the past 75 years. Read more by clicking here or watch Margaret’s video here. Text HISTORY to 83224 to vote for Margaret’s idea. 

"Hidden Pearls 7-Step Summer Challenge" by Fatuma Mohamed

Take a seven-step challenge led by a group of young, Muslim Minnesota women, and you will be working across cultures and faiths, shattering stereotypes and empowering others to do the same. Read more of Fatuma's idea by clicking here or watch Fatuma’s video here. Text PEARLS to 83224 to vote for Fatuma’s idea. Message and data rates may apply.

"Tents of Witness" by Margo O'Dell and Ellen Kennedy

Minnesota is home to tens of thousands of refugees, and the "Tents of Witness: Genocide and Conflict" exhibit would help share the stories of these Minnesotans with the aim of creating compassionate communities that are welcoming and willing to stand up against violence and hate. Read more of Ellen and Margo's idea by clicking here or watch Margo and Ellen’s video here. Text WITNESS to 83224 to vote for Margo’s idea. Message and data rates may apply.