Research Society for Victorian
The Research Society for Victorian Periodicals (RSVP) is an interdisciplinary, international association of researchers studying the nineteenth-century press from Britain and its colonies. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it is a private foundation that supports scholarship on periodicals, including research using primary print and archival sources.
Research Society for Victorian at a glance
In short: Research Society for Victorian gave $83K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state Louisiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $82,900
- -20.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,181
- -15.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,734
- Total assets
- $3,121,232
- +8.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Research Society for Victorian
- How to Apply
-
Application instructions, eligibility criteria, exclusions, and an online submission link are provided on RSVP’s website. Most awards do not require applicants to be members; microgrant applicants must be RSVP members. RSVP officers and directors are ineligible for its grants and fellowships. A Curran Fellowship winner may not hold another RSVP award in the same calendar year.
- Review Cycle
- The Curran Fellowship deadline is October 15; recommendation letters are due October 22. The website lists an August 15 application opening date. Microgrant deadlines are March 1, May 15, September 1, and December 1.
- Deadline
- The Curran Fellowship deadline is October 15; recommendation letters are due October 22.
- Contact
Application contact: Application Portal At Httpsrs4Vporg
Mailing address: 2704 Woodward Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: (260) 485-1658
Email: applications@rs4vp.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Research Society for Victorian funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jessica R Valdez Co Louisiana State ($20K). Together the top 2 received $39K.
Organizations only. It also paid 14 grants to individuals ($43,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 76 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RSVP describes its research interests as periodicals from Britain and its colonies, including the circulation of British magazines and newspapers in places within and outside the Empire. In 2025, the filing’s recipient-state breakdown lists 24% of grant dollars for Louisiana, 23% for California, 6% for Florida, and 1% for Virginia. Another 45% is listed with an unidentified state designation.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Research Society for Victorian gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $70K (2022) to $104K (2024). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $83K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jessica R Valdez Co Louisiana State Baton Rouge, LA | Peterson Fellowship | $20,000 |
| Katherine D Harris Co Tower Foundat San Jose, CA | Leary Development Grant | $19,400 |
| 14 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $43,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Research Society for Victorian?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,121,232 | $195,282 | $209,515 | $82,900 | 16 | $175,705 | $145,729 | $135,862 |
| 2024 | $2,876,912 | $237,611 | $195,282 | $103,900 | 17 | $166,080 | $190,291 | $130,415 |
| 2023 | $2,773,469 | $146,915 | $223,364 | $98,850 | 16 | $197,645 | $59,381 | $122,182 |
| 2022 | $2,567,632 | $121,847 | $155,918 | $70,283 | 13 | $92,819 | $58,729 | $126,162 |
| 2021 | $3,150,394 | $239,089 | $151,018 | $77,530 | 14 | $95,228 | $190,134 | $141,224 |
| 2020 | $2,929,756 | $302,319 | $117,190 | $84,400 | 17 | — | $262,248 | $125,069 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Research Society for Victorian reported a distributable amount of $136K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
RSVP says its mission is to support scholarship about the magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications of the long nineteenth century. Its awards support research on the British periodical press and its circulation in Britain and elsewhere, including places within and outside the British Empire. Supported work may examine periodicals as objects of study and use primary sources in print, manuscript, or digital facsimile.
Programs include Curran Fellowships for research and travel, the Linda H. Peterson Fellowship, the Patrick Leary Resource Development Grant, and microgrants for new or exploratory research projects. RSVP also offers book, dissertation, and essay prizes. Microgrants are for research expenses such as digital archive subscriptions, local archive travel, periodicals, and relevant short courses or workshops; they cannot be used for publication, conference attendance, or other research dissemination expenses.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, RSVP reported 16 grants totaling $82,900. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $20,000, with a median grant of $3,734. The largest listed awards were $20,000 for a Peterson Fellowship and $19,400 for a Leary Development Grant. Other large listed awards included a $5,200 Curran Fellowship and several Curran Fellowships to individual recipients.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Priti Joshi as president, Alison Chapman as vice president, Troy Bassett as treasurer, and Madeline Gangnes as recording secretary. Directors are Kristie Blair, Charlotte Boyce, Ali Hatapci, Erica Haugtvedt, Linda K. Hughes, and Annemarie McAllister.
Research Society for Victorian is led by Priti Joshi, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 12 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Priti Joshi
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda K. Hughes
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ali Hatapci
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annemarie McAllister
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fariha Shaikh
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristie Blair
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Menke
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlotte Boyce
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Haugtvedt
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Troy Bassett
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alison Chapman
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Madeline Gangnes
Recording Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: April Patrick (2020–2024) — Recording Secretary
- Former: Beth Gaskell (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Emma Liggins (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Fionnuala Dillane (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Fiona Snailham (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Maria Damkjaer (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Mary Shannon (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Smith (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Catherine Waters (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Matt Poland (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Teja Varma Pusapati (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Palmer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Clare Clarke (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Iain Crawford (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Jennifer Phegley (2020–2021) — President & Director
- Former: Lindsy Lawrence (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Katherine Malone (2020) — Vpr Editor & Director
- Former: Natalie Houston (2020) — Online App Administrator & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Research Society for Victorian
How much does Research Society for Victorian give each year?
Research Society for Victorian gave $83K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $104K across 17 grants.
What is Research Society for Victorian's typical grant size?
Research Society for Victorian's median grant in 2025 was $3,734, and its average grant was $5,181, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Research Society for Victorian give grants?
Research Society for Victorian's top state is Louisiana, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (23%) and Florida (6%).
Does Research Society for Victorian give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Research Society for Victorian's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Curran Fellowship" (10 grants).
How large is Research Society for Victorian?
Research Society for Victorian reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $176K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $136K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Research Society for Victorian fund?
RSVP says its mission is to support scholarship about the magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications of the long nineteenth century. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Research Society for Victorian?
Application instructions, eligibility criteria, exclusions, and an online submission link are provided on RSVP’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Research Society for Victorian's EIN?
Research Society for Victorian's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2823421. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Research Society for Victorian's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Indiana
Lilly Endowment Inc
Indianapolis, IN
Lilly Endowment funds community development, education and youth, and religion, with priority given to Indianapolis and Indiana and some national support, especially for religion. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though awards varied widely; for community development requests, it suggests starting with a brief preliminary letter.
Assets
$105.9B
Grants
2,285
Total Given
$3.9B
Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc
Indianapolis, IN
Through its funds and collaborative entities, CICF supports a broad range of charitable work, including equity, food access, childcare, arts, nature, and youth programs, primarily in Central Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $25,000; some funds offer competitive applications, while others are invitation-only, and CICF itself does not directly award grants.
Assets
$583.5M
Grants
525
Total Given
$31.1M
United Way of Central Indiana Inc
Indianapolis, IN
United Way of Central Indiana funds nonprofits addressing basic needs, early learning, economic mobility, safe and affordable housing, and organizational capacity in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, and Putnam counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $86 to $1.74 million, with a median of $16,238. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$255.2M
Grants
370
Total Given
$29.9M
Lumina Foundation for Education Inc
Indianapolis, IN
Lumina Foundation funds research, policy, technical assistance, and initiatives that expand equitable access to education and credentials beyond high school, with a national focus. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $2.51 million, with a median of $12,500. It says it does not accept unsolicited requests; funding is primarily proactive, with occasional open calls for proposals.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
357
Total Given
$30.0M
Round Room Gives Inc
Fishers, IN
Round Room Gives supports community organizations and local charitable activities, including education, family services, health, and animal welfare, with grants across about 40 states. In 2024, grants ranged from $250 to $140,000, with a median of $3,452. It accepts applications through an online form on an ongoing basis; applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with a TCC employee sponsor.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
357
Total Given
$1.8M
University of Notre Dame du Lac
Notre Dame, IN
The University of Notre Dame supports student aid, Catholic education and mission, research, academics, athletics, and other university priorities, with grants reported to organizations and institutions in multiple U.S. states. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $36.5 million, with a median of $30,480; some specific programs solicit eligible proposals, but no general policy on unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
$29.6B
Grants
462
Total Given
$84.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Indiana
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Research Society for Victorian's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Research Society for Victorian down — hundreds of funders to go?