03/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/19/2026 14:42
SCHEDULE 14AINFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-12 |
The GDL Fund
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☒ | No fee required |
| ☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| 1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
| 2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
| 3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
| 4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
| 5) | Total fee paid: | |
| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| ☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| 1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
| 2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
| 3) | Filing Party: | |
| 4) | Date Filed: | |
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1.
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To elect two (2) Trustees of the Fund, one (1) Trustees to be elected by the holders of the Fund's common shares and holders of its Series E Cumulative Term Preferred Shares and Series G Cumulative Term Preferred Shares (together, the "Preferred Shares"), voting together as a single class, and one (1) Trustee to be elected by the holders of the Fund's Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class; and
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2.
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To consider and vote upon such other matters, including adjournments, as may properly come before said Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Trustees,
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PETER GOLDSTEIN
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Secretary
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1.
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Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.
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2.
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Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration.
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3.
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All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individuals signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:
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Registration
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Valid Signature
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Corporate Accounts
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(1)
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ABC Corp.
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ABC Corp., John Doe, Treasurer
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(2)
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ABC Corp.
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John Doe, Treasurer
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(3)
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ABC Corp.
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c/o John Doe, Treasurer
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John Doe
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(4)
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ABC Corp., Profit Sharing Plan
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John Doe, Trustee
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Trust Accounts
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(1)
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ABC Trust
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Jane B. Doe, Trustee
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(2)
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Jane B. Doe, Trustee
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u/t/d 12/28/78
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Jane B. Doe
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Custodian or Estate Accounts
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(1)
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John B. Smith, Cust.
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f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA
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John B. Smith
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(2)
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John B. Smith, Executor
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Estate of Jane Smith
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John B. Smith, Executor
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1
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(s)
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Title of Class
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Amount of Shares
Nature of Ownership
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Percent of Class
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GAMCO Investors, Inc. and affiliates
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422
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Common
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5,037,612*
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46.1%
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Focus Partners Wealth, LLC
190 Carondelet Plaza
Suite 600
St. Louis MO 63105
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Common
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591,856
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5.4%
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Kenneth Edlow
New York, NY 10028
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Preferred
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549,500
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33.6%
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Regina Pitaro
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
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Preferred
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392,500
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24.0%
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Karpus Investment Management
183 Sullys Trail
Pittsford, NY 14534
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Preferred
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300,000
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18.3%
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The American Numismatic Society
New York, NY 10013
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Preferred
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150,000
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9.2%
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*
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Includes 2,795,978 Common Shares owned by Mr. Gabelli; 57,252 Common Shares owned by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (GAMCO), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and controlling shareholder; 242,000 Common Shares owned by GGCP, Inc. (GGCP), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Executive Officer, a director, and the controlling shareholder; 1,846,636 Common Shares owned by Associated Capital Group, Inc. (ACG), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Executive Chair and controlling shareholder; 7,364 Common Shares owned by Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (GCIA), a majority owned subsidiary of Associated Capital Group, Inc; 7,582 Common Shares owned by GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; and 80,800 shares owned by Gabelli Foundation, Inc. Mr. Gabelli has less than a 100% interest in each of these entities and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by these entities which are in excess of his indirect pecuniary interest.
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2
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Proposal
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Common Shareholders
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Preferred Shareholders
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1. Election of Trustees
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Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect one Trustee:
Colin J. Kilrain
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Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect one Trustee:
Colin J. Kilrain
Preferred Shareholders, voting as a separate class, vote to elect one Trustee:
James P. Conn
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2. Other Business
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Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class
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3
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4
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Name, Position(s),
Address(1)
and Year of Birth
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Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)
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Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
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Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
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Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex(3)
Overseen
by Trustee
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INTERESTED TRUSTEES(4):
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Mario J. Gabelli
Trustee and
Chief Investment Officer
1942
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Since 2006***
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Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/Trustee or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chair of Associated Capital Group, Inc.
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Director of Morgan Group Holding Co. (holding company) (2001-2019); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services company); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications); Director of ICTC Group Inc. (communications) (2013-2018)
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30(9)
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Agnes Mullady
Trustee
1958
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Since 2021**
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Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (2008-2019); Executive Vice President of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (November 2016-2019); President and Chief Operating Officer of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC (2010-2019); Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC (2006-2019); Chief Executive Officer of G.distributors, LLC (2011-2019); and an officer of all of the Gabelli/ GAMCO/Teton Funds (2006-2019)
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GAMCO Investors, Inc.
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17
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES(5):
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Anthony S. Colavita(6)
Trustee
1961
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Since 2018**
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Attorney, Anthony S. Colavita, P.C.; Supervisor, Town of Eastchester, NY
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-
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26
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James P. Conn(6)
Trustee
1938
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Since 2006*
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Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings, Ltd. (1992-1998)
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-
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23
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Leslie F. Foley(7)
Trustee
1968
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Since 2017***
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Attorney, serves on the Board of the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy Andover; Vice President, Global Ethics & Compliance and Associate General Counsel for News Corporation (2008-2010)
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-
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19
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Colin J. Kilrain
Trustee
1958
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Since 2025*
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Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2021-2023); Senior Military Advisor to Director of the CIA (2019-2021)
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LGL Group, Inc.
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3
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Michael J. Melarkey
Trustee
1949
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Since 2006***
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Of Counsel in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP;
Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie (1980-2015)
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Chairman of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility) (2004-2022)
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27
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5
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Name, Position(s),
Address(1)
and Year of Birth
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Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(2)
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Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
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Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
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Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex(3)
Overseen
by Trustee
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Salvatore J. Zizza(7)
Trustee
1945
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Since 2006**
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President, Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company);
Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)
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Director and Chairman of Trans- Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing); Director of Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.
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38
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Name, Position(s)
Address(1)
and Year of Birth
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Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(8)
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Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
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John C. Ball
President, Treasurer, and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
1976
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Since 2017
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Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc.; President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC; Chief Executive Officer of G. Distributors, LLC; Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli Fund Complex
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Peter Goldstein
Secretary and Vice President 1953
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Since 2020
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Chief Legal Officer, GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Legal Officer, Associated Capital Group, Inc. since 2021; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)
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Richard J. Walz
Chief Compliance Officer
1959
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Since 2013
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Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli Fund
Complex since 2013
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Carter W. Austin
Vice President
1966
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Since 2006
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) of Gabelli Funds, LLC
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David I. Schachter
Vice President
1953
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Since 2006
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) of G.research, LLC
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Laurissa M. Martire
Vice President and Ombudsman
1976
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Since 2018
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2019) of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
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Priscilla De Vargas
Vice President and Ombudsman
1993
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Since February
2026
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex (since 2026); Assistant Vice President (since 2022) of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
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(1)
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Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.
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(2)
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The Fund's Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a three year term.
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(3)
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The "Fund Complex" or the "Gabelli Fund Complex" includes all the U.S. registered investment companies that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers.
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(6)
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Trustee/Nominee elected solely by holders of the Fund's Preferred Shares.
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(7)
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Ms. Foley's father, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. Zizza is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund's Adviser.
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6
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(8)
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Includes time served in prior officer positions with the Fund. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
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(9)
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As of December 31, 2025, there are a total of 52 registered investment companies in the Fund Complex. Of the 52 registered investment companies, Mr. Gabelli serves as a director or trustee for 30 funds, sole portfolio manager of 6 funds, and part of the portfolio management team of 14 funds.
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*
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Nominee to serve, if elected, until the Fund's 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
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**
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Term continues until the Fund's 2028 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
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***
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Term continues until the Fund's 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
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7
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8
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9
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Name of Trustee/Nominee
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Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Held
in the Fund*(1)
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Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Held in the
Family of Investment Companies*(1)(2)
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INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
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Mario J. Gabelli
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E
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E
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Agnes Mullady
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B
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E
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
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Anthony S. Colavita
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A
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B
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James P. Conn
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C
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E
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Leslie F. Foley
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A
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B
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Colin J. Kilrain
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A
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A
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Michael J. Melarkey
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D
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E
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Salvatore J. Zizza
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C
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E
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*
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Key to Dollar Ranges
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A.
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None
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B.
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$1 - $10,000
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C.
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$10,001 - $50,000
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D.
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$50,001 - $100,000
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E.
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Over $100,000
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(1)
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This information has been furnished by each Trustee and nominee for election as Trustee as of December 31, 2025. "Beneficial Ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the 1934 Act.
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(2)
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The term "Family of Investment Companies" includes two or more registered funds that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. Currently, the registered funds that comprise the "Fund Complex" are identical to those that comprise the "Family of Investment Companies."
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10
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Name of Trustee/Nominee/Officer
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Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
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Percent of Class of
Shares Outstanding(2)
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INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
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Mario J. Gabelli
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5,039,212 Common Shares(3)
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46.0%
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Agnes Mullady
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150 Common Shares
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*
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
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Anthony S. Colavita
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0
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*
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James P. Conn
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2,000 Common Shares
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*
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Leslie F. Foley
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0
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*
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Colin J. Kilrain
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0
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*
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Michael J. Melarkey
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6,977 Common Shares
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*
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Salvatore J. Zizza
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1,400 Common Shares(4)
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*
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
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John C. Ball
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32 Common Shares
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*
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Peter Goldstein
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0
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*
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Richard J. Walz
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0
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*
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(1)
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This information has been furnished by each Trustee, including each nominee for election as Trustee, and executive officer as of December 31, 2025. "Beneficial Ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act. Reflects ownership of Common Shares unless otherwise noted.
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(2)
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An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total shares of such class outstanding. The ownership of the Trustees, including nominees for election as Trustee, and executive officers as a group constitutes 46.1% of the total Common Shares outstanding and less than 1% of the total Preferred Shares outstanding.
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(3)
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Includes 2,797,578 Common Shares owned by Mr. Gabelli; 57,252 Common Shares owned by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (GAMCO), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and controlling shareholder; 242,000 Common Shares owned by GGCP, Inc. (GGCP), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Executive Officer, a director, and the controlling shareholder; 1,846,636 Common Shares owned by Associated Capital Group, Inc. (ACG), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Executive Chair and controlling shareholder; and 7,364 Common Shares owned by Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (GCIA), a majority owned subsidiary of Associated Capital Group, Inc; 7,582 Common Shares owned by GAMCO Asset Management Inc. and; 80,800 shares owned by Gabelli Foundation, Inc. Mr. Gabelli has less than a 100% interest in each of these entities and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by these entities which are in excess of his indirect pecuniary interest.
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(4)
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All 1,400 Common Shares are owned by Mr. Zizza's spouse.
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11
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Name of Independent
Trustee/Nominee
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Name of Owner and
Relationships to
Trustee/Nominee
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Company
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Title of Class
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Value of
Interests(1)
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Percent of
Class(2)
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||||||||||
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James P. Conn
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Same
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PMV Consumer Acquisitions Corp.
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Warrants
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$4
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*
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||||||||||
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Michael Melarkey
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Same
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PMV Consumer Acquisitions Corp.
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Warrants
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$4
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*
|
||||||||||
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Salvatore J. Zizza
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Same
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Gabelli Associates Fund
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Limited Partner Interests
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$3,027,660
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1.98%
|
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Salvatore J. Zizza
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Same
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Gabelli Performance Partnership L.P.
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Limited Partner Interests
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$422,118
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*
|
||||||||||
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(1)
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This information has been furnished as of December 31, 2025.
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(2)
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An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total interests outstanding.
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12
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13
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•
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The name of the shareholder and evidence of the shareholder's ownership of shares of the Fund, including the number of shares owned and the length of time of ownership;
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•
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The name of the candidate, the candidate's resume or a listing of his or her qualifications to be a Trustee of the Fund, and the person's consent to be named as a Trustee if selected by the Nominating Committee and nominated by the Board of Trustees; and
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•
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If requested by the Nominating Committee, a completed and signed trustee's questionnaire.
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14
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15
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Name of Person and Position
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Aggregate
Compensation from
the Fund
|
Aggregate Compensation from
the Fund and Fund Complex
Paid to Trustees*
|
||||||||||
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INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
|
||||||||||||
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Mario J. Gabelli
Trustee and Chief Investment Officer
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$0
|
$0
|
(31)
|
|||||||||
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Agnes Mullady
Trustee
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$17,000
|
$133,000
|
(14)
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|||||||||
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
|
||||||||||||
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Anthony S. Colavita
Trustee
|
$21,000
|
$174,500
|
(23)
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|||||||||
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James P. Conn
Trustee
|
$19,000
|
$291,000
|
(23)
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|||||||||
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Leslie F. Foley
Trustee
|
$17,000
|
$92,500
|
(16)
|
|||||||||
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Colin J. Kilrain
Trustee
|
$15,900
|
$27,361
|
(2)
|
|||||||||
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Michael J. Melarkey
Trustee
|
$23,000
|
$193,000
|
(24)
|
|||||||||
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Salvatore J. Zizza
Trustee
|
$20,000
|
$328,750
|
(35)
|
|||||||||
|
OFFICERS:
|
||||||||||||
|
Laurissa M. Martire
Vice President and Ombudsman
|
$114,166
|
|||||||||||
|
*
|
Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the year ended December 31, 2025, by investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios that are part of the Fund Complex. The number in parentheses represents the number of such investment companies and portfolios.
|
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16
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|
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31
|
Audit Fees
|
Audit
Related Fees
|
Tax Fees*
|
All Other Fees
|
||||||||
|
2024
|
$27,400
|
-
|
$4,104
|
$4,700
|
||||||||
|
2025
|
$28,200
|
-
|
$5,500
|
$2,342
|
||||||||
|
*
|
"Tax Fees" are those fees billed by Ernst & Young in connection with tax compliance services, including primarily the review of the Fund's income tax returns.
|
|
17
|
|
18
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|
•
|
10% or more, but less than 15% of all voting power;
|
|
•
|
15% or more, but less than 20% of all voting power;
|
|
•
|
20% or more, but less than 25% of all voting power;
|
|
•
|
25% or more, but less than 30% of all voting power;
|
|
•
|
30% or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or
|
|
•
|
a majority or more of all voting power.
|
|
19
|
|
20
|
|
21
|