About Us
Carrying on the family tradition of public and charitable service, the Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation was created in 1995 to improve the lives of South Texans.
History
The Lichtenstein Family settled in Corpus Christi in 1874. Their small dry-goods store grew to become the prominent retail institution renowned throughout Texas.
In the 1960s Morris L. Lichtenstein had become sole owner of the “Lichtenstein’s” stores, before they were sold to Manhattan Industries in 1972 and began operating the location as Frost Bros. beginning in 1977.
He had only one child, Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr., who continued the family tradition as a successful entrepreneur. Morris, Jr. directed that after his death the bulk of his estate should be placed in a charitable foundation and used to benefit people in the Corpus Christi area.
Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr.
The Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation was established in 1995 as a private foundation, and its primary activity was the making of grants to charities in the Corpus Christi area. In 2007 it was converted to a Medical Research Foundation, and the name was changed to The Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Medical Research Foundation. Until 2024, the foundation’s primary activities were in conducting medical research, while also continuing to support a number of local charitable activities that it had previously. Endocrinologist Melissa Wilson, MD serves as the Medical Director guiding and overseeing a multitude of projects. In 2024 the foundation shifted its focus once again to serving the needs of the community and changed its name back to the Morris L. Lichtenstein, Jr. Foundation.
Inspired by four generations of Lichtensteins providing valued leadership to the community (supporting commerce, education, and humanitarian aid), the Foundation board funds innovative and creative ideas that seek to change people’s lives for the better.