Executive Orders and Federal Grants: A Straightforward Guide for Grant Professionals

Understanding how executive orders (EOs) impact federal grants has never been more important—or more confusing. As new EOs continue to be signed, many in the grant community are left wondering: Will this affect my grant funding? Will new requirements be added? Do I need to adjust my program plans?

At BFS, we’ve heard these questions firsthand at the NGMA AGT Conference this past March. To help the grant community navigate this evolving landscape, we developed the Executive Order Matrix—a neutral, fact-based tool available through our DECODED® resource platform.

Why We Created the Executive Order Matrix

Executive orders can shift federal priorities quickly, influencing funding streams, eligibility requirements, and compliance obligations. But not every EO affects grants—and sorting through hundreds of pages of legal text to figure out which ones do is a heavy lift for any organization.

The Executive Order Matrix, available as part of our DECODED® tools, was created to fill that gap. It offers a clear, easy-to-use way for grant professionals to quickly assess the relevance of each executive order—whether it directly impacts grant funding, introduces potential compliance considerations, or has no connection to grants at all.

To keep up with the rapidly changing environment, the matrix is reviewed and updated weekly. New versions are published every Wednesday on the DECODED® website, ensuring you have access to the most current information available.

What You’ll Find in the Matrix

The Executive Order Matrix is structured for easy use and quick reference. Each entry includes:

Executive Order Number
Title of the Executive Order
Federal Register Citation
Direct Link to the Executive Order’s PDF and online versions
Grant Impact Classification – Yes, No, or Maybe
Reasoning – A brief explanation of why the EO is classified as such

This format allows grant professionals to quickly scan for executive orders that may require further review or action—and skip those that do not impact grants.

How to Use the Matrix

The Matrix is not legal advice, nor is it meant to predict the future impact of any executive order. Instead, it provides a starting point—an objective review of the potential relationship between each EO and federal grants.

We recommend using the Matrix to:

Stay informed about executive orders that may affect your grants
Flag potential compliance risks early
Communicate effectively with leadership and stakeholders
Guide internal reviews and planning

Access the Matrix – Updated Weekly through DECODED®

We’re making this resource freely available to the grant community because we believe clarity and accuracy are critical in times of change.

You can access the most recent version of the Executive Order Matrix through our DECODED® website here:

DECODED® Executive Order Matrix Tool

New updates are published every Wednesday to reflect any newly signed executive orders or changes in interpretation.

Stay Focused on What Matters

Our hope is that the Executive Order Matrix gives you back valuable time—so you can focus on managing programs, achieving outcomes, and serving your communities without the added stress of tracking complex policy changes.

BFS remains committed to supporting the grant community with fact-based tools and resources—like DECODED®—designed to help you navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Questions about the Matrix or want to suggest a topic for our next resource?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out at [email protected].

Executive Orders and Federal Grants: A Straightforward Guide for Grant Professionals