Multifaith Works began its service to the community in 1988 as the Multifaith AIDS Project of Seattle (MAPS), founded by the late Rev. Gwen Beighle.  MAPS initially offered three services:  non-judgmental spiritual care to people living with AIDS, their partners, family and friends, educational outreach on AIDS and related issues to the congregations of our various faith communities, and low income community housing for people living with AIDS.

In 1996, the organization expanded its non-judgmental spiritual care program by starting the AIDS CareTeam program. AIDS CareTeams are groups of trained volunteers, typically from faith communities, that provide practical support and friendship for individuals and households living with AIDS.

In 1996-1997, the Multifaith AIDS Projects (MAPS) Board of Directors did a strategic planning process during which it was decided that the organization would expand its mission in the years to come. There is a twofold rationale behind the change in direction. First, was the Board's recognition that the agency's ideal of faith-based volunteer service and multifaith equality as well as its housing and service delivery models are worth expanding in the community. Second, as AIDS funding decreases because of the public's misperception that the crisis is over, it also made sense to broaden the base of support in the community, partly in order to maintain existing services.

In spring 1998, the Board finalized the organization's name change and new program directions. The name of the new umbrella organization became "Multifaith Works."  An Advisory Board comprised of community leaders was assembled.

During the summer of 1998, an intern researched various populations in need of housing. At its 1998 fall retreat, the Board of Directors confirmed the recommendation of our initial researcher that Multifaith Works explore in detail the feasibility of opening a home for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in cooperation with the MS Association of King County. After a great deal of research and planning, Ariel MS House was opened in February 2002.

In the late fall of 1998, MW was approached by Seattle Shanti, an organization that provides one-to-one emotional support to people with life-threatening illnesses, regarding a possible merger of the two agencies. After the two organizations conducted intensive study and negotiations, a merger with MAPS took place under the new umbrella organizational name, Multifaith Works. The formal merger took place in February 1999.

In March 2000, the Multifaith Alliance of Reconciling Communities (MARC), was approved by the board as another program under the Multifaith Works umbrella. MARC works to build bridges between faith groups and people who are lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered/questioning (LGBTQ).

In February 2005, Rabbi Anson Laytner left his eleven-year post as Multifaith Works Executive Director to work at the American Jewish Committee, Seattle Chapter. After a period of transition, Multifaith Works selected its third Executive Director, Arthur Padilla, who began in October of 2005.