﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" returnVersion="2025v4.0">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCnt="0">
    <ReturnTs>2026-01-27T11:48:21-05:00</ReturnTs>
    <TaxPeriodEndDt>2025-12-31</TaxPeriodEndDt>
    <PreparerFirmGrp>
      <PreparerFirmEIN>811036915</PreparerFirmEIN>
      <PreparerFirmName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>SALLY M HENSEL CPA PC</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </PreparerFirmName>
      <PreparerUSAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>2825 STOCKYARD RD STE I1</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>MISSOULA</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>MT</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>598081548</ZIPCd>
      </PreparerUSAddress>
    </PreparerFirmGrp>
    <ReturnTypeCd>990EZ</ReturnTypeCd>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDt>2025-01-01</TaxPeriodBeginDt>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>934225365</EIN>
      <BusinessName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>FRIENDS OF THE THIRD BRANCH</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </BusinessName>
      <BusinessNameControlTxt>FRIE</BusinessNameControlTxt>
      <PhoneNum>4064371762</PhoneNum>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>3730 EAGLE BAY DRIVE</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>HELENA</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>MT</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>59602</ZIPCd>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <BusinessOfficerGrp>
      <PersonNm>BETSY BRANDBORG</PersonNm>
      <PersonTitleTxt>PRESIDENT</PersonTitleTxt>
      <PhoneNum>4064371762</PhoneNum>
      <SignatureDt>2026-01-14</SignatureDt>
      <DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>true</DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>
    </BusinessOfficerGrp>
    <PreparerPersonGrp>
      <PreparerPersonNm>SALLY HENSEL CPA</PreparerPersonNm>
      <PTIN>P00685638</PTIN>
      <PhoneNum>4065427001</PhoneNum>
      <PreparationDt>2026-01-27</PreparationDt>
    </PreparerPersonGrp>
    <TaxYr>2025</TaxYr>
    <BuildTS>2025-03-06 01:10:19Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCnt="3">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="RetDoc1" referenceDocumentId="RetDoc2">
      <MethodOfAccountingCashInd>X</MethodOfAccountingCashInd>
      <ScheduleBNotRequiredInd>X</ScheduleBNotRequiredInd>
      <WebsiteAddressTxt>FRIENDSOFTHETHIRDBRANCH.ORG</WebsiteAddressTxt>
      <Organization501c3Ind referenceDocumentId="RetDoc3">X</Organization501c3Ind>
      <TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>X</TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>
      <GrossReceiptsAmt>76843</GrossReceiptsAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>76732</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>
      <InvestmentIncomeAmt>111</InvestmentIncomeAmt>
      <TotalRevenueAmt>76843</TotalRevenueAmt>
      <FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt>101983</FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt>
      <OtherExpensesTotalAmt>14375</OtherExpensesTotalAmt>
      <TotalExpensesAmt>116358</TotalExpensesAmt>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>-39515</ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>56290</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>16775</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>56290</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>16775</EOYAmt>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
      <Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>56290</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>16775</EOYAmt>
      </Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>56290</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>16775</EOYAmt>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>
      <PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>FRIENDS OF THE THIRD BRANCH INFORMS MONTANANS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT IMPACT THEIR COURTS, THEIR JUDGES, AND TO PROTECT MONTANA'S CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM ENSURING GOVERNMENTAL CHECKS AND BALANCES.</PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>
      <ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
        <DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>FRIENDS OF THE THIRD BRANCH INFORMS MONTANANS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT IMPACT THEIR COURTS, THEIR JUDGES, AND TO PROTECT MONTANA'S CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM ENSURING GOVERNMENTAL CHECKS AND BALANCES.</DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>
        <ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>113258</ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      </ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>113258</TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>BETSY BRANDBORG</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>PRESIDENT</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>DENNIS LOPACH</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>VICE PRESIDE</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>MARK MURPHY</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>LARRY EPSTEIN</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>false</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>
      <ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>false</ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>
      <OrganizationHadUBIInd>false</OrganizationHadUBIInd>
      <SubjectToProxyTaxInd>false</SubjectToProxyTaxInd>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>false</OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>
      <Form1120PolFiledInd>false</Form1120PolFiledInd>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>false</MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>false</EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>false</ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>
      <BooksInCareOfDetail>
        <BusinessName>
          <BusinessNameLine1Txt>FRIENDS OF THE THIRD BRANCH</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
        </BusinessName>
        <USAddress>
          <AddressLine1Txt>3730 EAGLE BAY DRIVE</AddressLine1Txt>
          <CityNm>HELENA</CityNm>
          <StateAbbreviationCd>MT</StateAbbreviationCd>
          <ZIPCd>59602</ZIPCd>
        </USAddress>
        <PhoneNum>4064371762</PhoneNum>
      </BooksInCareOfDetail>
      <ForeignFinancialAccountInd>false</ForeignFinancialAccountInd>
      <ForeignOfficeInd>false</ForeignOfficeInd>
      <DonorAdvisedFndsInd>false</DonorAdvisedFndsInd>
      <OperateHospitalInd>false</OperateHospitalInd>
      <TanningServicesProvidedInd>false</TanningServicesProvidedInd>
      <RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>false</RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>
      <TransactionWithControlEntInd>false</TransactionWithControlEntInd>
      <PoliticalCampaignActyInd>false</PoliticalCampaignActyInd>
      <LobbyingActivitiesInd>false</LobbyingActivitiesInd>
      <SchoolOperatingInd>false</SchoolOperatingInd>
      <TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>false</TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>
      <PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>NONE</PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>
      <FiledScheduleAInd>true</FiledScheduleAInd>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="RetDoc3">
      <PublicOrganization170Ind>X</PublicOrganization170Ind>
      <GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>71222</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>76732</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>147954</TotalAmt>
      </GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
      <TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>71222</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>76732</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>147954</TotalAmt>
      </TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
      <SubstantialContributorsTotAmt>14078</SubstantialContributorsTotAmt>
      <PublicSupportTotal170Amt>133876</PublicSupportTotal170Amt>
      <GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>111</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>111</TotalAmt>
      </GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp>
      <TotalSupportAmt>148065</TotalSupportAmt>
      <GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt>159</GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt>
      <First5Years170Ind>X</First5Years170Ind>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="RetDoc2">
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>EXPENSES ADVERTISING AND MARKETING 6,802 OFFICE SUPPLIES AND SOFWARE 5,765 BANK CHARGES 857 INSURANCE 951 TOTAL 14,375</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART III</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>FRIENDS OF THE THIRD BRANCH INFORMS MONTANANS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT IMPACT THEIR COURTS, THEIR JUDGES, AND TO PROTECT MONTANA'S CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM ENSURING GOVERNMENTAL CHECKS AND BALANCES.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>