<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[X]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 (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
- - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
- - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN REGISTRANT)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]$125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[_]$500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
6(i)(3).
[_]Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:
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:
<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY COPY
ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
65 Madison Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
---------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JANUARY 18, 1996
---------------------
To The Shareholders:
The annual meeting of shareholders of Ellsworth Convertible Growth and
Income Fund, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on Thursday, January 18, 1996
at 10:30 a.m. local time at Bonita Bay Club, 26660 Country Club Drive S.W.,
Bonita Springs, Florida 33923 for the following purposes:
(1) To elect three directors each to serve until the annual meeting of
shareholders in 1999, or until their successors are elected and qualify.
(2) To ratify or reject the selection of Coopers & Lybrand as independent
accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996.
(3) To approve or disapprove an amendment to the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company to require the Board
of Directors to consider giving the Company's shareholders the right to
tender their shares during the current fiscal year.
(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 1995 are
entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournments. If you attend the
meeting, you may vote your shares in person. If you do not expect to attend
the meeting, please fill in, date, sign and return the proxy in the enclosed
envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.
It is important that you return your signed proxy promptly so that a quorum
may be assured.
November 29, 1995
Ronald E. Dinsmore
Chairman of the Board of Directors
<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY COPY
ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
65 Madison Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JANUARY 18, 1996
---------------------
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Ellsworth
Convertible Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (the "Company"). A shareholder can
revoke the proxy prior to its use by appearing at the meeting and voting in
person, by giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of the
Company, or by returning a subsequently dated proxy. The cost of soliciting
proxies will be borne by the Company. The officers, directors and regular
employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally. The Company may also
pay persons holding stock in their names, or those of their nominees, for
their expenses in sending proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners or
principals.
The Board of Directors has named Ronald E. Dinsmore, Chairman, Thomas H.
Dinsmore, President, and Sigmund Levine, Executive Vice President and
Secretary, of the Company, as a proxy committee. The proxy committee will vote
as set forth below with respect to the election of directors. Unless otherwise
directed by the accompanying proxy, the proxy committee will vote to ratify
the selection of Coopers & Lybrand as independent accountants for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 1996 and will vote against the proposal to amend the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Charter"). Abstentions received with respect to any proposal will be counted
for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting
of shareholders. Abstentions do not count as votes received but have the same
effect as casting a vote against proposals that require the vote of a majority
of the shares present at a meeting, provided a quorum exists. Broker non-votes
are not counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the
annual meeting of shareholders nor are they counted as a vote received at such
meeting for any proposal.
The Board of Directors currently knows of no other matters to be presented
to the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the
members of the proxy committee will vote in accordance with their best
judgment. The members of the proxy committee may propose one or more
adjournments of the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. No
adjournment will be for a period ending later than March 27, 1996. Any such
adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
present in person or by proxy at the session of the meeting to be adjourned.
The members of the proxy committee will vote in favor of any such adjournment
those proxies which instruct them to vote in favor of any of the proposals to
be considered at the adjourned meeting, and will vote against any such
adjournment those proxies which instruct them to vote against or to abstain
from voting on all of the proposals to be considered at the adjourned meeting.
<PAGE>
Shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 1995 will be
entitled to one vote per share on all business of the meeting. The Company had
6,483,919 shares of its Common Stock outstanding on the record date. It is
expected that this proxy statement, the accompanying proxy and the Company's
Annual Report will be first sent to shareholders on or about November 29,
1995.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Charter provides for three classes of directors to serve
staggered terms, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible. The
authorized number of directors of the Company is currently fixed at eight,
with two of the three classes having three directors and one of the classes
having two directors. At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors are
elected to succeed those directors whose terms expired and each newly elected
director will serve for a three year term.
For election as directors at the 1996 annual meeting of shareholders to be
held January 18, 1996 (the "Annual Meeting"), the Board of Directors has
approved the nomination of Ronald E. Dinsmore, Thomas H. Dinsmore and Donald
M. Halsted, Jr. to serve as directors until the 1999 annual shareholders'
meeting, each of whom is currently a director of the Company.
The proxy committee will vote for the election of the nominees named below
unless authority to vote for any or all of the nominees is withheld in the
proxy. A nominee must receive favorable votes from a plurality of the shares
voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present to be elected. Each of the
nominees has indicated that he is willing to serve as a director. If any or
all of the nominees should become unavailable for election due to events not
now known or anticipated, the committee will vote for such other nominee or
nominees as the Board of Directors may recommend, unless the Board reduces the
number of directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR BUSINESS DURING SERVED AS
NOMINEE AGE PAST FIVE YEARS AND (2) CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTOR SINCE
------- --- --------------------------------------------- --------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 1999
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Dinsmore* 69 (1) Since May 1986, Chairman of the April 30, 1986
Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company; Since November 1985,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer of Bancroft Convert-
ible Fund, Inc.; Since August 1988,
Chairman of Davis-Dinsmore Manage-
ment Company (the "Adviser").
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.
Thomas H. Dinsmore* 42 (1) Since May 1986, President of the April 30, 1986
Company; Since November 1985, Presi-
dent of Bancroft Convertible Fund,
Inc.; Since April 1994, Director of
the Adviser; Since August 1988,
President of the Adviser; Since Feb-
ruary 1983, Senior Analyst of the
Adviser.
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.
Donald M. Halsted, Jr. 68 (1) Since October 1983, self employed April 30, 1986
businessman; From January 1983 to
October 1983, Vice Chairman--Special
Projects, Lone Star Industries (ce-
ment and concrete materials); From
April 1979 to January 1983, Presi-
dent and Chief Operating Officer,
Lone Star Industries.
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc. and Aquarion Company (wa-
ter company).
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
Information regarding the remaining directors of the Company is provided
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR BUSINESS DURING SERVED AS
DIRECTOR AGE PAST FIVE YEARS AND (2) CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTOR SINCE
-------- --- --------------------------------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
TERMS EXPIRING IN 1998
Gordon F. Ahalt 67 (1) Since January 1982, President, April 30, 1986
G.F.A. Inc. (petroleum industry con-
sulting); Since 1987, Consultant, W.
H. Raves & Co., Inc. (asset manage-
ment).
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.; The Harbinger Group (in-
vestments); and Cal Dive Interna-
tional (diving service).
Elizabeth C. Bogan, 50 (1) Since September 1992, Senior Lec- April 30, 1986
Ph.D. turer in Economics at Princeton Uni-
versity; From September 1971 to July
1992, Professor of Economics at
Fairleigh Dickinson University.
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.
TERMS EXPIRING IN 1997
William A. Benton 62 (1) Since January 1991, limited part- June 11, 1986
ner of Gavin, Benton & Co. (New York
Stock Exchange specialist firm);
Since January 1991, Partner in BE
Partners (small options market mak-
er). From June 1986 to December
1990, partner of Benton & Co. (New
York Stock Exchange specialist
firm).
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.
C. O. Chichester 70 (1) Since September 1987, President, July 15, 1987
C&G Associates (nutritional consult-
ing); Since July 1991, Vice Presi-
dent, SNBL Europe Ltd. (contract
laboratory).
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc., Omni Corp. and SNBL Eu-
rope Ltd.
George R. Lieberman 73 (1) Retired; Prior to January 1988, January 11, 1990
Chief Executive Officer, Lieberman-
Appalucci (advertising); and Presi-
dent, Interspace Airport Advertising
(advertising).
(2) Director of Bancroft Convertible
Fund, Inc.
</TABLE>
- - - - --------
* Mr. Ronald Dinsmore is an "interested person", as defined by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), of the Company and its
Adviser because he is an officer of both such companies and owns 85% of the
issued and outstanding stock of the Adviser. Mr. Thomas Dinsmore is an
interested person of the Company and its Adviser because he is an officer of
both such companies and owns 10% of the issued and outstanding stock of the
Adviser.
----------------
Directors of the Company, as well as the Company's Director Emeritus, other
than affiliated persons of the Company as a group received aggregate
compensation of $39,800 from the Company during its fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995. Directors of the Company, as well as the Company's
Director Emeritus, other than affiliated persons of the Company, currently
receive an annual fee of $2,000, plus $750 per board meeting when such
meetings are called and attended plus expenses of attending board meetings.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, the Directors held five board
meetings. The only committee of the Board is the audit committee. Incumbent
directors attended at least 75% of all Board and committee meetings. Directors
do not receive pension or retirement benefits from the Company.
Mr. Duncan O. McKee has served as Director Emeritus of the Company since
1988. Mr. McKee, who is presently retired, was previously a partner in the law
firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll. For the fiscal year ended September
30, 1995, Mr. McKee received aggregate compensation
3
<PAGE>
from the Company of $5,750 and total compensation from the Company and Bancroft
Convertible Fund, Inc., which is advised by the Adviser, of $11,500.
Set forth below is information regarding the compensation paid during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 for each director of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL COMPENSATION
FROM COMPANY AND
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION BANCROFT CONVERTIBLE
FROM COMPANY FUND, INC.+
---------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Dinsmore.................. $ -0- $ -0-
Thomas H. Dinsmore.................. $ -0- $ -0-
Gordon F. Ahalt..................... $5,750 $12,250
William A. Benton................... $5,850 $12,350
Elizabeth C. Bogan, Ph.D. .......... $5,100 $10,950
C.O. Chichester..................... $5,750 $11,500
Donald M. Halsted, Jr............... $5,850 $12,450
George R. Lieberman................. $5,750 $12,350
</TABLE>
- - - - --------
+ Bancroft Convertible Fund, Inc. is advised by Adviser.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Davis-Dinsmore Management Company (the "Adviser"), 65 Madison Avenue,
Morristown, New Jersey 07960, serves as the Company's adviser.
Thomas H. Dinsmore, President of the Company and the son of Ronald E.
Dinsmore, is also director, President of and Senior Analyst for the Adviser.
Mr. Thomas Dinsmore owns 10% of the Adviser's outstanding common stock. Jane D.
O'Keeffe, Vice President of the Company and Executive Vice President of the
Adviser, is the daughter of Ronald E. Dinsmore and the sister of Thomas H.
Dinsmore. Mrs. Jane D. O'Keefe owns 5% of the Adviser's outstanding common
stock. Sigmund Levine, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company,
is also Treasurer and Secretary of the Adviser. H. Tucker Lake, Vice President,
Trading of the Company, is the nephew of Mr. Ronald Dinsmore and the first
cousin of Mr. Thomas Dinsmore and Ms. O'Keeffe. Gary Levine, Treasurer of the
Company, is the son of Sigmund Levine.
RATIFICATION OR REJECTION OF SELECTION OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not
interested persons of the Company or the Adviser, has selected Coopers &
Lybrand as independent accountants to examine and verify the accounts and
securities of the Company for its fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, and to
report thereon to the Board and the shareholders. This selection will be
submitted for ratification or rejection at the Annual Meeting. A representative
of such firm is not expected to be present at the meeting.
The Board of Directors has an audit committee consisting of Dr. Bogan, Mr.
Halsted and Mr. Benton. The audit committee was created to meet periodically
with the Company's independent accountants to review the scope of audit
examinations of the Company, the Company's accounting policies and procedures
and new developments in financial accounting standards applicable to investment
companies. The audit committee also was created to review the quality and
performance of the Company's accounting and financial staff. During the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1995, the audit committee met once.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR ratification of selection
of the accountants.
4
<PAGE>
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S CHARTER
Article IX of the Company's Charter provides that in the event that, during
the twelve-week period ended November 15, 1995, the Company's shares of Common
Stock traded on the American Stock Exchange at more than a 5% discount from
net asset value, the Company would submit to its shareholders a proposal, to
the extent consistent with the Investment Company Act, to amend the Company's
Charter to give shareholders the right to tender their shares to the Company
at the end of each of the three remaining quarters of the Company's current
fiscal year.
For the twelve-week period ended November 15, 1995, the Company's shares of
Common Stock traded on the American Stock Exchange at a discount of
approximately 13.7% from net asset value. As a result, the provisions of
Article IX of the Company's Charter were triggered. The Board of Directors of
the Company thus was required to adopt and submit to shareholders for their
approval an amendment to the Company's Charter, to the extent consistent with
the Investment Company Act, that would give shareholders the right to tender
their shares to the Company at net asset value on March 31, June 30 and
September 30, 1996.
The Board of Directors has taken the position that an amendment to the
Company's Charter to provide for automatic repurchases of shares through
periodic tender offers would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the
Directors under the Investment Company Act and believes instead that the
Company should, at the time of any proposed tender offer, consider the merits
of the tender offer and determine that it would be in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders based on the circumstances at the time the
repurchase is being made. As a result, the Company's Board of Directors
adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Company's
Charter (the "Charter Amendment") that would add a new Article XII. Article
XII would require the Board of Directors to consider giving the Company's
shareholders the right to tender their shares to the Company on March 31, June
30, and September 30, 1996 and receive net asset value for shares tendered,
but would not give shareholders an automatic right to tender their shares.
At the Annual Meeting, the following resolution will be submitted to a vote
of shareholders:
RESOLVED, that the Charter of the Company be and it hereby is amended by
adding a new Article XII, which Article shall read in full as follows:
ARTICLE XII
The Board of Directors of the Corporation will consider,
during each of the fiscal quarters ending on March 31, June 30
and September 30, 1996, whether to give each holder of shares
of common stock of the Corporation the right to tender such
shares to the Corporation for purchase on each of March 31,
1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996 (each, a "Purchase
Date") at net asset value as of the close of business on each
such Purchase Date.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
5
<PAGE>
The Company was established as a vehicle for long-term investment through
participation in a professionally managed portfolio of convertible bonds and
preferred stocks. The Board of Directors believes that the Company has
succeeded in its objective. During the period beginning as of the commencement
of the Company's operations in July 1986 through September 30, 1995, the net
asset value per share of the Company, with dividends and capital gains
reinvested at net asset value, increased by 130.5%. Over the twelve months
ended September 30, 1995, the Company's net asset value per share increased
21.9%.
For 1995, the Company's shareholders received distributions from investment
income and capital gains of approximately 7.1% based on the Company's net
asset value and approximately 8.2% based on the Company's market price, both
as of November 10, 1995. Based on the Company's performance, the Board of
Directors expects that the Company will continue to serve as an appropriate
investment vehicle for its shareholders by providing a high level of total
return on its assets through a combination of current income and capital
appreciation.
The Board of Directors of the Company currently believes that repurchases by
the Company of its shares through tender offers ("share repurchases") are not
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In reaching such
decision, the Directors took into account the effect that share repurchases
would have on: the discount of the Common Stock's market price from net asset
value; the continued listing of the Common Stock by the American Stock
Exchange (the Exchange will consider delisting if the aggregate market value
of the Company's outstanding shares is less than $1,000,000, the number of
publicly held shares falls below 200,000 or the number of round-lot holders
falls below 300); the Company's expense ratio, since share repurchases would
result in the allocation of the Company's fixed expenses over a smaller base
of assets; the Company's ability to achieve its investment objective and the
Company's investment performance; and the Company's status as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").
The Company would be required to liquidate portfolio securities to fund any
share repurchases since it has limited ability to borrow. In liquidating
securities, the Company would incur transaction costs. If the Company were
required to liquidate a significant portion of its portfolio, it would have
lesser bargaining power in disposing of its securities. The transaction costs
and the possible lower prices received would likely reduce the net asset
value, and, therefore, the net proceeds distributed to tendering shareholders.
In addition, as a result of share repurchases, the Board of Directors may be
required to recommend the liquidation, merger or other reorganization of the
Company.
If, as a result of share repurchases, the Company did not qualify as a
regulated investment company under the Code, the Company's income would be
taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who
receive dividends from the Company. Generally, shareholders who tender their
shares would recognize a capital gain (or loss) to the extent the amount they
receive exceeds (or is less than) the amount they paid for their shares. Such
capital gain (or loss) will be long term capital gain (or loss) only if shares
have been held more than one year.
In the event the Charter Amendment is approved, the Board of Directors will
consider whether to have the Company make a tender offer for its Common Stock
during each of the fiscal quarters ending March 31, June 30 and September 30,
1996. In determining whether to have the Company proceed with such a tender
offer, the Board of Directors will take into account the factors described
above.
6
<PAGE>
The Board of Directors also intends to follow a policy, which it may change,
not to have the Company proceed with a tender offer if (1) such transaction,
if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Company's shares from
the American Stock Exchange, or (b) impair the Company's status as a regulated
investment company under the Code; or (2) the Company would not be able to
liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the
Company's investment policies and objective in order to repurchase shares; or
(3) there is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, any material (a)
legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such
transaction or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Company, (b)
suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities generally on the
New York Stock Exchange or any foreign exchange on which portfolio securities
of the Company are traded, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal,
state or foreign authorities or any suspension of payment by banks in the
United States, New York State or foreign countries in which the Company
invests, (d) limitations affecting the Company or the issuers of its portfolio
securities imposed by Federal, state or foreign authorities on the extension
of credit by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e)
commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national
calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States or other countries
in which the Company invests, or (f) other event or condition which would have
a material adverse effect on the Company or its shareholders if shares were
purchased pursuant to a tender offer. The Board of Directors may modify these
conditions in light of circumstances existing at the time.
EVEN IF THE CHARTER AMENDMENT IS APPROVED, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL DECIDE TO HAVE THE COMPANY UNDERTAKE ANY TENDER
OFFER.
Any tender offer made by the Company will be made and shareholders notified
in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the Investment Company Act, either by publication or mailing or both. Each
offering document will contain such information as is prescribed by such laws
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Throughout any such
tender offer, the Company will establish procedures to make current net asset
value publicly available. A shareholder wishing to accept the offer may be
required to tender all of the shares owned by such shareholder (or attributed
to him for Federal income tax purposes under Section 318 of the Code). The
Company will purchase shares tendered in accordance with the terms of the
offer unless it determines not to proceed with such purchase (based upon one
of the conditions set forth above). Each person tendering shares will pay to
the Company's transfer agent a service charge of $25.00 (which is subject to
change) to help defray certain costs, including the processing of tender
forms, effecting payment, postage and handling. Any such service charge will
be paid directly by the tendering shareholder and will not be deducted from
the proceeds of the purchase. The Company's transfer agent will receive the
fee as an offset to these costs. Costs associated with the tender incurred by
the Company will be charged against capital.
Tendered shares that are accepted and purchased by the Company will
constitute authorized but unissued shares.
Holders of two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock of the Company that are
issued and outstanding must vote in favor of the Charter Amendment for such
amendment to be adopted.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST THE
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT (ITEM NO. 3) ON THE PROXY.
7
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. Executive officers of the Company are elected by the
Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Such officers do
not receive any compensation from the Company for their services. The
following table sets forth certain information about executive officers of the
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICER POSITION WITH BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING
NAME AGE SINCE THE COMPANY PAST FIVE YEARS
- - - - ---- --- ------- ------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Dinsmore 69 1986 Chairman and Chief See page 2 of this proxy
Executive Officer statement.
Thomas H. Dinsmore 42 1986 President See page 2 of this proxy
statement.
Sigmund Levine 69 1986 Executive Vice President Since April 1993 Executive
and Secretary Vice President, and since
May 1986 Secretary of the
Company. Since April 1993
Executive Vice President,
and since November 1982,
Secretary of Bancroft and
Treasurer and Secretary of
the Adviser. From May 1986
to April 1993, Treasurer
of the Company. From No-
vember 1982 to April 1993,
Treasurer of Bancroft.
H. Tucker Lake 48 1994 Vice President, Trading Since April 1994, Vice
President, Trading of the
Company and of Bancroft.
Prior thereto, Sales Asso-
ciate, Coldwell Banker,
Schlott Realtors.
Jane D. O'Keeffe 40 1994 Vice President Since April 1994, Vice
President of the Company
and of Bancroft. Since
April 21, 1994, Executive
Vice President of the Ad-
viser. From October 1988
to March 1994, Vice Presi-
dent, Fiduciary Trust In-
ternational.
Gary I. Levine 38 1993 Treasurer Since April 1993, Trea-
surer of the Company and
of Bancroft. Since June
1986, Assistant Secretary
of the Company and of
Bancroft.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT. The following table sets forth certain
information regarding the ownership of the Company's shares of Common Stock by
directors and officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF
COMPANY OWNED
BENEFICIALLY
NOVEMBER 29,
1995*
-------------
<S> <C>
Ronald E. Dinsmore........................................... 18,062(1)
Thomas H. Dinsmore........................................... 9,183(2)
Gordon F. Ahalt.............................................. 1,079
William A. Benton............................................ 2,158
Elizabeth C. Bogan, Ph.D..................................... 4,316
C.O. Chichester.............................................. 3,210
Donald M. Halsted, Jr........................................ 2,298
George R. Lieberman.......................................... 778
Duncan O. McKee.............................................. 2,536
Sigmund Levine............................................... 2,559
H. Tucker Lake............................................... 839(3)
Jane D. O'Keeffe............................................. 1,601
Gary I. Levine............................................... 213(4)
</TABLE>
- - - - --------
* Represents for each director and officer less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company. As of November 29, 1995, directors
and officers of the Company beneficially owned in the aggregate 48,832
shares of Common Stock of the Company representing approximately 0.75% of
the shares outstanding. Except as otherwise indicated, each director and
officer possessed sole investment and voting power with respect to shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned.
(1) Mr. Ronald Dinsmore possessed sole investment and voting power with
respect to 12,936 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by him and
possessed shared investment and voting power with respect to 5,126 shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned by him. The number of shares of Common
Stock beneficially owned by Mr. Ronald Dinsmore does not include 265
shares owned by his wife, as to which shares Mr. Ronald Dinsmore disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(2) Mr. Thomas Dinsmore possessed sole investment and voting power with
respect to 7,555 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by him and
possessed shared investment and voting power with respect to 1,628 shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned by him. The number of shares of Common
stock of the Company owned by Mr. Thomas Dinsmore does not include 452
shares owned by his wife, as to which shares Mr. Thomas Dinsmore disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(3) Mr. H. Tucker Lake possessed sole investment and voting power with respect
to 493 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by him and possessed
shared investment power with respect to 346 shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by his wife.
(4) Mr. Gary Levine possessed sole investment and voting power with respect to
112 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by him and possessed shared
investment and voting power with respect to 101 shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by him.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK. The Company knows of no beneficial
owners of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
9
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
To be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and proxy
for the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders, shareholder proposals must be
received no later than August 1, 1996.
OTHER BUSINESS
The management knows of no business to be presented to the meeting other
than the matters set forth in this proxy statement.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Ronald E. Dinsmore
Chairman of the Board of Directors
November 29, 1995.
10
<PAGE>
Preliminary Copy
- - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election as directors of all nominees listed below for the term specified in
the proxy statement.
FOR all nominees listed below [X]
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
for all nominees listed below. [X]
*EXCEPTIONS [X]
Board of Directors nominees: Ronald E. Dinsmore, Thomas H. Dinsmore and
Donald M. Halsted, Jr. (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, mark the "Exceptions" box and write that nominee's name
in the space provided below.)
*Exceptions__________________________________________________________________
The Board of Directors recommends voting "FOR" Proposal 2 and "AGAINST" Proposal
3.
2. Proposal to ratify the selection of accountants.
FOR [X]
AGAINST [X]
ABSTAIN [X]
3. Proposal to amend Company's Charter.
FOR [X]
AGAINST [X]
ABSTAIN [X]
Change of Address and
or Comments Mark Here [X]
If shares are held jointly each shareholder named
should sign. Legal representatives of shareholders
should add their titles when signing.
Dated_______________________________________, 19__
__________________________________________________
Signature
__________________________________________________
Signature, if held jointly
Votes MUST be indicated
(X) in Black or Blue Ink. [X]
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
Annual Meeting, January 18, 1996
This Proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned appoints Ronald E. Dinsmore, Thomas H. Dinsmore and
Sigmund Levine, and each of them, attorneys and proxies, with power of
substitution in each, to vote and act on behalf of the undersigned at the
annual meeting of shareholders of Ellsworth Convertible Growth and Income
Fund, Inc. (the "Company") at Bonita Bay Club, 26660 Country Club Drive
S.W., Bonita Springs, FL 33923 on January 18, 1996, at 10:30 a.m., and at
all adjournments, according to the number of shares of Common Stock which
the undersigned could vote if present, upon such subjects as may properly
come before the meeting, all as set forth in the notice of the meeting and
the proxy statement furnished therewith.
Unless otherwise marked on the reverse hereof, this proxy is given
WITH authority to vote FOR directors listed on the reverse hereof, FOR the
proposal to ratify the Board's selection of accountants, and AGAINST the
proposal to amend the Company's Charter.
(Continued, and to be signed and dated, on the reverse side.)
ELLSWORTH CONVERTIBLE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, INC.
P.O. BOX 11118
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0118
