The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees and ACC Foundation accepted a major $250,000 gift from Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson on Monday, March 3, 2025. The money will establish a new scholarship and food pantry for students. 

Allocation of gifts

  • $150,000 to establish the Ferguson Family McDonald’s Endowed Scholarship
  • $80,000 to establish the Elgin Campus Student Life Food Pantry Endowment
  • $20,000 to directly support the Elgin Campus Student Life Food Pantry ($10,000 to be used in 2025 and $10,000 to be used in 2026)

“For many of our students, life is not affordable. They are balancing life issues like child care, housing insecurity, and mental health. College today is much more complex,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “Jimmy and Cindi Ferguson’s generosity reflects their deep commitment to our students’ success. This gift is not just an investment in ACC but in the future of our community. It will support our students and give them the resources they need to thrive.” 

Every year, 74,000 students enroll at ACC. A recent survey of those students found that more than 60% are low-income and worry about paying for college. Additionally, 48% identify as food insecure. ACC’s food pantries on campus offer students free snacks, microwaveable meal items, non-perishables, toiletries, and school supplies.

In recognition of their commitment to ACC’s mission and student success, the College will name two spaces at the Elgin Campus in their honor:

  • Ferguson Student Services Suite
  • Ferguson Family Student Life Food Pantry

Jimmy Ferguson has served on the ACC Foundation Board since 2006, including leadership roles on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Nominating Committee. He and Cindi are passionate about education, economic empowerment, and poverty alleviation. They have supported ACC and student scholarships for nearly two decades. Their philanthropic contributions, totaling more than $155,000 before this gift, have helped fund scholarships such as the ACC Foundation General Scholarship, the Dr. Richard Rhodes Endowed Scholarship, and the McDonald’s of Central Texas Annual Scholarship.

For more information about ACC scholarships, visit austincc.edu/scholarships. For more information about ACC Foundation, visit austincc.edu/foundation.