An exempt organization can perform some business activities and remain exempt. They will have to pay tax on the business income at corporate rates. See the link below for more info.

This should be our angle: Selling Donated Merchandise - Any trade or business is excluded that consists of selling merchandise, substantially all of which the organization received as gifts or contributions. Many thrift shop operations of exempt organizations would meet this exception. A CHIP THRIFT STORE!

IRS Website: "Even though an organization is tax exempt, it still may be liable for tax on its unrelated business income. Unrelated business income is income from a trade or business, regularly carried on, that is not substantially related to the performance by the organization of its exempt purpose or function except that the organization needs the profits derived from this activity. An exempt organization that has $1,000 or more gross income from an unrelated business must file Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return. For additional information, see the Form 990-T instructions."

I suggest setting up an LP or LLC. Who wants to be the general partner?