Membership

Exclusively for GSFOA Members

Only GSFOA members may contribute to the GSFOA Legal Trust Fund, and only contributing members are eligible to share in financial settlements, if any, resulting from legal action.

• Our Goal: Build a five-to-six figure Legal Trust Fund with contributions from members—paid in monthly installments or as a lump sum.
• Our Purpose: To encourage Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) to consult with GSFOA and its members before introducing costly policies, procedures, tools, or fees that could harm our current and future business and the franchise. Early consultation and collaboration can help GSL avoid legal action and ensure that the impact of changes are thoroughly understood by GSL, and that changes align with existing Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) or are properly introduced in new FDDs required for renewals, annexes, or additional schools.

To contribute to the Legal Trust Fund, visit the Contact Us page and select Legal Trust Fund from the “How can we help?” drop down menu.

Examples of recent changes that are cause for concern include:

• Increased Marketing fees for some franchisees
• Mandated changes to hours of operation
• Replacement of franchisee-purchased center management software (e.g., Tadpoles) and the F.L.EX.® framework for curriculum development with Kaymbu center management software, the Wonder of Learning® curriculum, and Goddard Books
• Introduction of a new Technology Fee in the 2025 FDD

These additional Benefits are available to active members and provided by AAFD with negotiated supplier discounts. 

• AAFD’s FRANCHISEE LEGALINE℠
  Legal referrals, Free legal consultations, and special ‘members only’ legal services. The exclusive network of experienced franchisee counsel can represent the interests of franchisees and prospective franchisees. Members can request a consultation from some of the best franchise attorneys in the biz.
• AAFD HEALTH BENEFITS SUITE which includes:
  • Major Medical Plans for groups and individuals:  ACA ‘Affordability’ Compliant, Guarantee-Issue, Avoids the B Penalty, Comprehensive Benefits and more.
  • Virtual Primary Care: 24/7 Access, Dedicated Physician, Easy Prescription Pickup, Psychiatry, Health Assessment, Prescription Benefit
  • Voluntary Benefit Plans: Accident indemnity plans, Hospital indemnity plans, Critical illness insurance, Dental and Vision insurance, Life insurance, Pet insurance
  • Member WellCards – Discount card for thousands of medical, dental, and vision providers and steeply discounted prescription prices at pharmacies.
• PHONE. VOICE: Cloud phone system inside a single app. Empower your business by uniting all your conversations on one simple platform.
• PURCHASING BUYING DISCOUNTS.
  The AAFD is continuously negotiating quality programs and discounts to increase the value of the membership. Additional benefits added regularly – Check our Supplier Network Directory for all our Supporting Members.