In 2001, the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies in the Texas Research Park was established, in part with a gift of $4 million from the Barshop family.

In 1968, brothers Sam and Philip Barshop borrowed $45,000 to launch the two La Quintas motels that targeted corporate travelers. When the company went public in 1974, it had grown to 200 properties. As active philanthropists. the Barshops supported causes including education, medicine and Jewish-related organizations.

Today, the institute is a leading recipient of funds from the National Institute on Aging, a division of the federal National Institutes of Health.