Justin Franks, systems-focused digital consultant and founder of JNF Digital

Justin Franks

Founder, JNF Digital

Digital Systems Consultant · Washington, DC

Justin Franks is a systems-focused digital consultant who designs and implements the infrastructure organizations rely on to manage websites, data, and workflows.

As the founder of JNF Digital, he works with nonprofits, cooperatives, and mission-driven organizations to build practical, scalable systems that replace manual processes, connect fragmented tools, and support real-world operations.

He is typically brought in when organizations need to move from fragmented tools and manual processes to systems that actually work in practice.

What Justin Actually Does

Justin's work sits at the intersection of web development, data systems, and operational strategy.

Rather than delivering standalone websites or tools, he focuses on building systems that organizations can actively use and manage over time. His work often involves taking systems that are fragmented, manual, or difficult to manage and turning them into structured, automated platforms that organizations can rely on.

This includes:

  • Designing and implementing web and data platforms
  • Connecting websites, CRMs, email systems, and data workflows
  • Automating manual processes and improving operational efficiency
  • Structuring information into usable, maintainable systems
  • Migrating platforms, consolidating infrastructure, and restructuring data across system transitions
  • Coordinating vendors and technical implementation across projects

Outcomes by the Numbers

Real results from completed engagements — not estimates or projections.

90%Reduction in manual reporting time for ICRG across 100+ countries
5 hrs/wkAdmin time recovered for PPGC through CRM automation
1,500+Resource downloads structured and tracked for ICRG across 12 data fields
95+DC housing co-ops made searchable and map-visible for the first time
300+Citation-backed comparison questions across cooperative law jurisdictions in Co-op Atlas
5,000+Legal cases indexed in Barnor Law's searchable platform
400+Podcast episodes archived and made searchable for Everything Co-op
2Bootcamp developers transitioned to full-time engineering roles via Barnor Law pilot

What These Outcomes Look Like in Practice

Most engagements share a common shape: an organization is managing something manually or across disconnected tools — and the work is to build the system that fixes that.

Data systems that replace manual processes

For ICRG, resource downloads were untracked. After implementation, every download was captured with 12 fields of user metadata for near real-time USAID reporting. Manual reporting time dropped 90%.

Platforms organizations can actually run themselves

For NOBCChE, a full WordPress build with 6+ custom post types and staff onboarding meant the organization took over publishing with no ongoing developer involvement — a pattern repeated across Tech Turn Up, Everything Co-op, and others.

Infrastructure that connects fragmented tools

For PPGC, a Zoho CRM integration now routes all partner orders automatically, saving 5 hours per week. For Douglass CLT, Salesforce-connected forms replaced a manual intake process entirely.

Geographic and public-facing visibility

For the DC LEC Task Force, 95+ housing cooperatives were made searchable and map-visible for the first time — turning a spreadsheet into DC's first comprehensive co-op housing directory.

Vendor coordination and project governance

For OCDC, Justin led an external web build from RFP through launch — vendor selection, three rounds of stakeholder input, and ongoing support. For Just Neighbors, he ran an IT vendor evaluation that enabled a growing nonprofit to confidently select a managed provider.

These outcomes reflect a consistent pattern: systems that replace manual processes, structure fragmented information, and become part of an organization's ongoing operations.

See all 16 case studies →

Co-op Atlas

Justin is also the creator of Co-op Atlas, a self-initiated public-interest initiative that turns cooperative law into structured, citation-backed answers across jurisdictions. It is built as a multi-edition system: a Global Edition for broad legal discovery and a U.S. Southern Edition that applies a structured, question-based approach to a verified seven-state dataset.

The Global Edition covers 100+ countries and 200+ legal documents. The U.S. Southern Edition indexes 80+ statutes and 4,000+ sections across seven states, with 300+ structured comparison questions and citation-backed outputs designed for research, policy work, and publication-ready briefs.

The project is evolving into a broader infrastructure layer for cooperative research and legal intelligence across jurisdictions.

Career Background

Justin Franks working with stakeholders on digital systems and workflow planning

JNF Digital — Founder & Lead Consultant

April 2017 – Present · Washington, DC

Independent consulting practice serving nonprofits, cooperatives, and government-adjacent organizations. Work spans web development, data systems, workflow automation, vendor coordination, and digital strategy. Clients include NOAA, NOBCChE, OCDC, ICRG, Mi Casa, Community Purchasing Alliance, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, and others.

WordPressDrupalReactZapierSalesforceZoho CRMGIS / LeafletOpenAISEOGoogle Analytics

National Council for Behavioral Health — Communications Associate

October 2014 – March 2017

Managed the association's main high-traffic websites and digital platforms, along with respective vendor relationships. Advised stakeholders on solutions, strategies, and ongoing maintenance for digital communications infrastructure.

Level 3 Communications — Customer Care Manager

October 2012 – May 2014

Managed accounts, vendor relationships, and end-to-end service delivery for global network internet and VOIP solutions supporting multiple S&P 500 clients. Clients included NASA, Northrup Grumman, Verizon, AT&T, and Hewlett Packard. Recipient of Outstanding Achievement Award.

Jackson National Life — Client Service Advocate

December 2011 – July 2012

Advised clients and agents on variable annuities and investment portfolios across multiple financial products. Held FINRA Series 6 license.

Michigan State University Library — Web Specialist (Work-Study)

August 2008 – May 2011

Led web development, graphic design, and content management for a library archive of magazines and publications.

B.A. in International Relations, Michigan State University — James Madison College, with a focus on comparative politics and culture.

Approach

Justin approaches digital work as systems design, not just development.

His work is grounded in:

  • Practical implementation over theory — systems that work in practice, not just on paper
  • Staff handoff from the start — building for organizations that need to manage things themselves
  • Connecting the layers — frontend, backend, data, and workflow treated as one system
  • Long-term sustainability — platforms maintained and expanded over years, not abandoned after launch