Jacob Family Gives Back to SAS and Austin

Giving Back

Jacob Family Steps Up for St. Andrew’s and Austin Communities

Ryan and Anne Jacob

joined the St. Andrew’s community two years ago when daughter Colby Jacob ‘27 started in the 5th grade. They knew immediately they wanted to make a difference within the St. Andrew’s community, and have made incredibly impactful gifts each year to both the St. Andrew’s Fund and the Financial Aid program. Most recently, they led the Financial Aid charge with a generous $250,000 matching challenge, helping to more than double the fundraiser's original goal. But the Jacobs have not only been generous to the St. Andrew’s community; they’re initiating philanthropic change across Austin.

This spring, after they had rallied the St. Andrew’s community to support Financial Aid, Anne heard that the annual Angelman Syndrome Foundation walk in Austin wasn’t going to happen as planned. Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder, is a cause close to the Jacobs’ heart— their son Grayson, 2, was recently diagnosed with the disorder. The AS Foundation Walk is an event with locations across the country and an important fundraiser that helps support affected families with therapies and resources. Anne, not one to shy away from a challenge, dove in to organize and promote the Austin walk, making sure that it was a success.

Not stopping there, Ryan and Anne Jacob also pledged a $500,000 donation to The Arc of the Capital

Oliver, Anne, Colby, Ryan and Grayson Jacob (left to right)

Area this May. The Arc is a nonprofit organization that promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which includes individuals with Angelman Syndrome. Their transformative gift will go a long way toward supporting children similar to Grayson and their families. Just like Anne and her work with the AS Foundation, Ryan is not content to limit his involvement to donations and also volunteers as the vice president for The Arc of the Capital Area Board of Directors, a generous commitment of both time and energy. At St. Andrew’s, we emphasize the importance of the Servant pillar to our students, both within the St. Andrew’s Community, in the Austin area, and across the globe. Ryan and Anne exemplify this pillar in every way. They have made a strong commitment to give charitably to our school and the community, but also invest their own time and talent to involve and motivate others across Austin. We are so grateful and proud to have their family be leaders in our St. Andrew’s Community and know that they will continue to do great things for SAS and beyond.