Ka'a, our confusion right now is because I am being very specific. Employer Identification number, non-profit and tax exempt all mean different things.
Per the IRS:
While the Internal Revenue Service does issue Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), these are merely a unique identifier, similar to a Social Security number for an individual. Applying for and receiving an EIN says nothing about the organization's tax status; however, your organization needs an EIN to apply for tax exemption.
http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Tax-Exempt-Numbers--and-Employer-Identification-NumbersAn EIN is not necessary linked to a non-profit (which is state level) group or a tax exempt (which is Federal level) group, but can be.
To be clear, Thor's Refuge has an EIN but it is not linked to a non-profit or tax exempt status. Westmarch has an EIN that is linked to both a state non-profit and a Federal 301(c)7 tax exempt organisation.