We compare and analyze the filter properties of transmission-type volume holographic gratings, especially the dispersion characteristics for uniform and chirped gratings. It is theoretically and experimentally shown that the dispersion characteristics can be controlled by introducing one-dimensional chirping to the volume grating in a photorefractive crystal. The filter response including output power and dispersion comes from a combined effect of the spatial spectra of the grating structure, input beam, and output-coupling fiber mode. Filter responses can be designed by controlling these parameters for optical communication applications.