Van Sant, who directed "Good Will Hunting" and "To Die For," is being honored for his upcoming bio-pic "Milk," which is about pioneering gay politician Harvey Milk.

Joely Fisher is to act as host, while Tipper Gore is to present the center's Corporate Vision Award to home-furnishing company Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, at the Oct. 18 event in Century City, organizers said.

Slated to attend the gala are actors Stephen Spinella and Peter Paige, actress Jane Lynch, "Milk" producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks, and David Lance Black, the writer of "Milk."