The Heinz family's sustained philanthropic giving has supported the environment, education, economic opportunity and the arts as well as efforts to enhance the lives of women and children. In 1995, the family made one of the largest grants ever to benefit the environment — $20 million to establish the Washington, D.C.-based H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. The Center brings together representatives of business, government, the scientific community and environmental groups to collaborate on the development of fair, scientifically sound environmental policies. Teresa Heinz will accept the Award on behalf of the family. She is chairman of the Heinz Family Philanthropies and The Heinz Endowments, two of the nation's most innovative philanthropic institutions. She is the creator of the prestigious Heinz Awards, an annual program recognizing outstanding vision and achievement in the arts; public policy; the environment; the human condition; and technology, the economy and employment.