In 2007, the United Way of Southeast Alaska released Compass II, a community health assessment that drew on interviews, surveys, and focus groups to identify Ketchikan's key health and wellness priorities.

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In response, a group of community members led by Karen Eakes began meeting monthly, spending a year developing a strategic plan and a shared vision for the community: "Establish Ketchikan as a vibrant community that people choose to live in and move to." The group also adopted what would become KWC's mission: "Promote community wellness through assessment and action."

This group became the Steering Committee of the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition, which was formally incorporated on November 30, 2009, to carry forward the wellness priorities identified through Compass II and later community assessments.

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KWC launched with five task forces: Empowering Youth, The Cost of Substance Abuse, Strengthening Community Unity, Uniting Around Life's Challenges, and A Diverse Year-Round Economy. Within a year, two more joined: Promoting Respectful Relationships and Suicide Prevention Education and Awareness in Ketchikan (SPEAK). An eighth, the Tongass Community Food Alliance, came aboard in November 2012.

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Since then, individual task forces have wound down, evolved, or handed their work off to other organizations as goals were met and community priorities shifted. Through it all, KWC has stayed true to its core approach — using assessment, education, coordination, and locally led initiatives to address the wellness priorities Ketchikan residents and community partners identify. The task forces above reflect that history; current programs continue to change as community needs, partnerships, and funding evolve.

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KWC's work has been made possible through grants and contributions from the City of Ketchikan, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, individual donors, foundations, community grant programs, corporate sponsors, the State of Alaska, and federal sources — though funding support varies by program and activity.