We hope this page will answer many of your questions pertaining to Schering-Plough Canada's on-line request process. To know if your request follows Schering-Plough Canada's Charitable Contribution guidelines, please click here to read them.
Why am I asked to enter my charitable contribution request through a Website now?
In order to better track and ensure a response to all charitable contribution requests, Schering-Plough Canada has implemented a Website, which all charitable contribution requestors need to use as of September 30, 2006. As of that date, Schering-Plough Canada will no longer accept charitable contribution requests through mail, fax or telephone.
What is considered a "charitable contribution"?
A Charitable Contribution is one of goodwill and for which Schering-Plough Canada does not get any tangible benefit in return, may receive incidental recognition (display company logo, etc.) but this would be secondary to the primary purpose of accepting to support. The recipient is generally a qualified tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization as allowed by local law.
My community soccer team is not a registered charity. Can I submit a request?
Yes. Schering-Plough Canada accepts to review all charitable contributions requests. Please read Schering-Plough Canada's Charitable Contribution Guidelines to know more about our selection criteria.
What is a Business/Charitable Registration number?
An organization registered as a charity under the Income Tax Act gets a Business number. Under the Act, the Canadian Revenue Agency can provide to anyone that requests it, any information provided in prescribed form by the charity on applying for registration.
The BN consists of two parts:
nine digits to identify an organization (e.g., 12345 6789); and
two letters and four digits to identify the type of accounts an organization might have (e.g., the suffix RR0001 may be used to identify charity accounts).
If you are a registered charity, you must enter the BN/Registration Number, which contains 15 characters (e.g. 123456789RR0001) and no spaces. This number is required to verify your application.
For more information about the Income Tax Act or any other related topic, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
Can I fill out parts of the form and come back to it later?
No, and this is why we ask all requestors to read the Schering-Plough Canada Charitable Contribution guidelines before hand, in order to ensure all requestors gather the proper information prior to entering a new request.
Should I call to ensure you received my request?
No. We evaluate each request received through this on-line request form. Since we receive numerous requests every day, we cannot confirm reception of all requests on the phone. However, e-mail messages will be sent to you to inform you of the status of your request.
Does Schering-Plough Canada accept requests on the phone, by mail or by fax?
No. Schering-Plough Canada only accepts Charitable Contribution requests sent on-line. We cannot answer any request sent to us by phone, mail or fax. At Schering-Plough Canada, we generously invest each year to support several causes. For that reason, we receive numerous requests for contributions coming from various types of organizations. The scope and the complexity of the requests vary considerably. In order to ensure proper and fair processing of all requests, as well as to respond to all charitable contribution requests, Schering-Plough Canada requires that all Charitable Contribution requests are processed on-line. This way, we ensure our personnel can evaluate each request properly.
Is the review of my request guaranteed?
Yes. Essentially, we have implemented this on-line form to ensure proper evaluation of all Charitable Contribution requests against Schering-Plough Canada's contributions guidelines. Having such a tool allows Schering-Plough Canada to evaluate each request and ensure a timely response to all applicants.
I prefer addressing my request directly to someone. Why would you refuse to discuss my request in person?
Because of the great numbers of requests we receive, we cannot discuss the requests on the phone or in person. In asking the requests to be submitted on-line, we ensure that all requests are evaluated properly. All requests will be answered within six to eight weeks.
My organization does not have a computer. Can we still request a Charitable Contribution?
Yes. To request a Charitable Contribution, all you need is a computer with an Internet connection. If your organization does not have one, we suggest you use the computer of members of your board of directors, colleagues, family members or friends. Public libraries and community centers often offer the community free access to computers with an Internet connection. Our request process requires you have an e-mail address. It is with this e-mail address that we will provide you with Schering-Plough Canada's decision on your request. If you do not have an e-mail address, many on-line services offer free e-mail services (e.g. www.yahoo.ca or www.hotmail.com). You will then be enabled to use this e-mail address from any computer connected to Internet.
When and how will I know if my request was approved?
We will contact all applicants by e-mail within three weeks if the request is approved and within six to eight weeks if it is refused. We remind you that due to the important number of requests received, we will not answer questions on the phone about the status of the requests.
Why does Schering-Plough Canada need to know if I am a Government Employee?
Schering-Plough Canada is committed to ensuring compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other international laws that prohibit bribery of government employees or public officials. Schering-Plough Canada has controls in place that focus on policies, procedures and processes as they relate to the way we conduct business with individuals who are employed by the government, particularly in the areas of making payments to these individuals.
What is the FCPA and why does this apply to Schering-Plough Canada in Canada?
The FCPA prohibits bribery of foreign officials. Although it is a U.S. law, it applies to all U.S. companies and individuals, including non-U.S. citizens based outside of the U.S. who work for the company, as well as U.S. subsidiaries, such as Schering-Plough Canada. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) enforce the FCPA, and non-compliance can result in fines and incarceration.
What does the FCPA require Schering-Plough Canada to do?
The FCPA anti-bribery provisions make it unlawful to make any corrupt payment to a foreign official for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, for or with, or directing business to, any person. Neither Schering-Plough Canada nor its employees, agents or other representatives should attempt directly or indirectly to influence business by illegal payments, bribes, kickbacks, or other unethical means. To comply with the FCPA, Schering-Plough Canada must maintain adequate internal controls.
The accounting provisions of the FCPA, require corporations to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the corporation and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. This means that payments may not be characterized wrongly in an invoice or other document.
One of our board members works for a Crown corporation, does that make them a Government Employee?
Yes, this is indeed a government employee.
Will my organization's requests be refused if a member of our board is a government employee?
This is not a criterion for refusal. Your request may be approved if it meets our Charitable Contribution guidelines and is deemed acceptable once reviewed.
I do not want to complete the section on the organization's governance. Can I submit my request without this information?
We cannot review incomplete requests. This information is obligatory for your request to be reviewed.
We are a small organization without a board of governance. Whose name do I list for the list of the board members?
If you are the sole member of this group, list your name and your role (e.g. Mr. John Smith, Founder)
If you have read the Frequently Asked Questions section above and need further information, please contact us directly by e-mail. Please explain the situation very clearly so that we can address your question properly.