03/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/19/2026 14:37
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 |
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
(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 four (4) Trustees of the Fund, three (3) Trustees to be elected by the holders of the Fund's common shares and holders of its 5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares and Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (collectively, 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
Secretary
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April 1, 2026
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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 and
Nature of Ownership
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Percent of Class
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Saba Capital Management, L.P.
405 Lexington Avenue
58th Floor
New York, NY 101741
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Common
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1,604,273
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11.7%
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Wells Fargo & Company
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94163
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Common
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946,404
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6.9%
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SIT Investment Associates Inc.
3300 IDS Center
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
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Common
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932,552
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6.8%
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GAMCO Investors, Inc. and affiliates
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
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Preferred
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145,000*
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10.5%
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Americo Investment Advisors Inc.
P.O. Box 410288
Kansas City, MO 64141
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Preferred
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120,000
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8.7%
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*
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The shares reported are comprised of 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred owned directly by Mario J. Gabelli; 125,000 shares of Series B Preferred owned by Associated Capital Group, Inc. (ACG), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Executive Chair and controlling shareholder; and 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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1
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Form 4 filed by Saba Capital Management, L.P. on February 19, 2026.
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2
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Schedule 13G/A filed by Wells Fargo & Company on January 29, 2026.
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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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Election of Trustees
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Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect three Trustees:
Kinchen C. Bizzell
James P. Conn; and
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
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Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect three Trustees:
Kinchen C. Bizzell
James P. Conn; and
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
Preferred Shareholders, voting as a separate class, vote to elect one Trustee:
Michael J. Melarkey
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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
Chairman
1942
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Since 2015***
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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 GGGP, 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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James A. Dinsmore
President and Trustee
1982
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Since 2013**
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Portfolio Manager for Gabelli Funds, LLC; President of the Fund and the Bancroft Fund Ltd.; Executive Vice President of the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2013-2015); Executive Vice President of the Fund (January 2013-February 2014); Vice President of the Fund and the Bancroft Fund Ltd.
(2009-2012)
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-
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1
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES(5):
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Kinchen C. Bizzell
Trustee
1954
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Since 2008*
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Managing Director of Drexel Hamilton (securities broker-dealer); Private Investor (2017-2020); Managing Director of CAVU Securities (securities broker-dealer) (2013-2016); Investor Relations Managing Director (1998-2013) and Senior Counselor (after 2013) at Burson-Marsteller (global public relations and communications)
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-
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2
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Elizabeth C. Bogan
Trustee
1944
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Since 1986**
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Former Senior Lecturer in Economics at Princeton University
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-
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12
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James P. Conn
Trustee
1938
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Since 2015*
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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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Frank J. Fahrenkopf,Jr.(7)
Trustee
1939
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Since 2015*
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Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association
(1995-2013); Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee
(1983-1989)
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Director of First Republic Bank (banking); Director of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (casino entertainment company)
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11
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Daniel D. Harding
Trustee
1952
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Since 2007***
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Managing General Partner of the Global Equity Income Fund (private investment fund); Director of Reef Consulting & Investment (private equity firm); former Director of TRC (private asset management); former General Partner of Latitude Capital Partners, LLC (private investment)
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Atlantic Health Systems; Ocean Reef Community Foundation; and Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation
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3
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||||||||
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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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Michael J. Melarkey(6)
Trustee
1949
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Since 2015*
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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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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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Nicolas W. Platt(6)
Trustee
1953
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Since 1997***
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Private Investor; Member of NYSE American LLC Committee on Securities; Township Committee Member, Harding, New Jersey; Former Mayor of Township of Harding, New Jersey (2013-2016); Managing Director of FTI Consulting Inc. (international consulting company) (March 2009- May 2011)
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3
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Anthonie C. van Ekris(7)
Trustee
1934
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Since 2015**
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company)
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-
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22
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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
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 2015
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Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli Fund Complex since 2013
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Laurissa M. Martire
Vice President and
Ombudsman
1976
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Since 2015
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since January 2019) of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
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Bethany A. Uhlein
Vice President and
Ombudsman
1990
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Since 2017
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Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2021) 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)
|
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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(4)
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"Interested person" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Messrs. Gabelli and Dinsmore are each considered to be an "interested person" of the Fund because of their affiliation with the Fund's Adviser.
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6
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(5)
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Trustees who are not considered to be "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act are considered to be "Independent" Trustees. None of the Independent Trustees (with the possible exceptions as described in this proxy statement) nor their family members had any interest in the Adviser or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser as of December 31, 2025.
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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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Mr. Fahrenkopf's daughter, Leslie F. Foley, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, all of 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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(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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**
|
Term continues until the Fund's 2028 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and 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 and 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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10
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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/NOMINEE:
|
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Mario J. Gabelli
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E
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E
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James A. Dinsmore
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E
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E
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
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Kinchen C. Bizzell
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E
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E
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Elizabeth C. Bogan
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E
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E
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James P. Conn
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C
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E
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
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A
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E
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Daniel D. Harding
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E
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E
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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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C
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E
|
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Nicolas W. Platt
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B
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C
|
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Anthonie C. van Ekris
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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)
|
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-l(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act").
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(2)
|
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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11
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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
|
0
|
*
|
||||
|
145,001 Series B Preferred(3)
|
10.5%
|
|||||
|
James A. Dinsmore
|
12,716 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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1,567 Series A Preferred
|
*
|
|||||
|
3,000 Series B Preferred
|
*
|
|||||
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
|
||||||
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Kinchen C. Bizzell
|
13,030 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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Elizabeth C. Bogan
|
18,186 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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James P. Conn
|
1,000 Common Shares
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*
|
||||
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
|
0
|
*
|
||||
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Daniel D. Harding
|
24,692 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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Colin J. Kilrain
|
0
|
*
|
||||
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Michael J. Melarkey
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2,957 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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Nicolas W. Platt
|
700 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
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Anthonie C. van Ekris(4)
|
2,000 Common Shares(5)
|
*
|
||||
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
|
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|
John C. Ball
|
31 Common Shares
|
*
|
||||
|
Peter Goldstein
|
0
|
*
|
||||
|
Richard J. Walz
|
0
|
*
|
|
(1)
|
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)
|
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 less than 1% of the total Common Shares and 10.9% of the total Preferred Shares outstanding.
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(3)
|
Includes 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred owned by Mr. Gabelli and 125,000 shares of Series B Preferred owned by Associated Capital Group, Inc. (ACG), of which Mr. Gabelli is the Executive Chair and controlling shareholder. 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)
|
All 2,000 Common Shares are owned by Mr. van Ekris' children for which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
|
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12
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Name of Independent
Trustee
|
Name of Owner and
Relationships to
Trustee
|
Company
|
Title of Class
|
Value of
Interests(1)
|
Percent of
Class(2)
|
||||||||||
|
James P. Conn
|
Same
|
PMV Consumer Acquisitions Corp.
|
Warrants
|
$4
|
*
|
||||||||||
|
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
|
Same
|
Gabelli Associates Limited II E
|
Membership Interests
|
$1,852,914
|
2.01%
|
||||||||||
|
Michael Melarkey
|
Same
|
PMV Consumer Acquisitions Corp.
|
Warrants
|
$4
|
*
|
||||||||||
|
(1)
|
This information has been furnished as of December 31, 2025.
|
|
(2)
|
An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total interests outstanding.
|
|
13
|
|
•
|
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;
|
|
14
|
|
•
|
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
|
|
•
|
If requested by the Nominating Committee, a completed and signed trustee's questionnaire.
|
|
15
|
|
16
|
|
Name of Person and Position
|
Aggregate
Compensation from
the Fund*
|
Aggregate Compensation from
the Fund and Fund Complex
Paid to Trustees**
|
|||||||
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
|
|||||||||
|
Mario J. Gabelli
|
$0
|
$0 (31)
|
|||||||
|
Chairman
|
|||||||||
|
James A. Dinsmore
|
$0
|
$0 (1)
|
|||||||
|
President and Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES:
|
|||||||||
|
Kinchen C. Bizzell
|
$13,500
|
$27,000 (2)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Elizabeth C. Bogan
|
$13,500
|
$152,500 (12)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
James P. Conn
|
$13,500
|
$291,000 (23)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
|
$12,500
|
$160,000 (11)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Daniel D. Harding
|
$15,500
|
$37,000 (3)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Colin J. Kilrain
|
$11,461
|
$27,361 (2)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Michael J. Melarkey
|
$14,500
|
$193,000 (24)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Nicolas W. Platt
|
$12,500
|
$32,000 (3)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
Anthonie C. van Ekris
|
$ 12,500
|
$ 208,325 (23)
|
|||||||
|
Trustee
|
|||||||||
|
*
|
Represents total compensation paid to such persons by the Fund during the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.
|
|
**
|
Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the calendar year ended December 31, 2025 by investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios that are considered part of the Fund Complex. The number in parentheses represents the number of such investment companies and portfolios.
|
|
17
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended September 30
|
Audit Fees
|
Audit Related Fees
|
Tax Fees*
|
All Other Fees
|
||||||||
|
2024
|
$21,600
|
-
|
$3,500
|
-
|
||||||||
|
2025
|
$22,000
|
-
|
$3,500
|
-
|
||||||||
|
*
|
"Tax Fees" are those fees billed by Tait Weller in connection with tax compliance services, including primarily the review of the Fund's income tax returns.
|
|
18
|
|
19
|
|
•
|
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.
|
|
20
|
|
21
|
|
22
|