DEF 14A 1 fp0081912-2_def14a.htm

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

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:

| [ ] | Preliminary Proxy Statement

| [ ] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

| [X] | Definitive Proxy Statement

| [ ] | Definitive Additional Materials

| [ ] | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X] | 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 the 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:

CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 11, 2023

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 11, 2023: THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com/assets/pdfs/sec-filings/CLM_proxy_final.pdf.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), will be held at 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 11, 2023 at the First Floor Conference Room, 1075 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, for the following purposes:

| 1. | To approve the election of three directors to hold office until the year 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and one director to hold office until the year 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Proposal 1); and

| 2. | To consider and vote upon such other matters as may properly come before said Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 15, 2023 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The stock transfer books will not be closed.

Copies of the Fund’s most recent annual and semi-annual reports are available free of charge for any stockholder by writing to the Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246, by calling (866) 668-6558, or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com.

| By Order of the Board of Directors
| Hoyt M. Peters
| Secretary

Dated: February 24, 2023

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL HELP ASSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS

The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

| 1. | Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.

| 2. | Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration.

| 3. | Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:

REGISTRATION

CORPORATE ACCOUNTS | VALID SIGNATURE
(1) ABC Corp. | ABC Corp (by John Doe, Treasurer)
(2) ABC Corp. | John Doe, Treasurer
(3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, Treasurer | John Doe
(4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan | John Doe, Trustee
TRUST ACCOUNTS |
(1) ABC Trust | Jane B. Doe, Trustee
(2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee u/t/d/ 12/28/78 | Jane B. Doe
CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS |
(1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA | John B. Smith
(2) John B. Smith | John B. Smith, Jr., Executor

CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 11, 2023

GENERAL

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the year 2023 (the “Meeting”) to be held 11:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 11, 2023 at the First Floor Conference Room, 1075 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, and at any and all adjournments and postponements thereof. A form of proxy is enclosed herewith. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being first mailed to stockholders of the Fund (“Stockholder(s)”) on or about February 24, 2023.

Any Stockholder who executes and delivers a proxy may revoke it by written communication to the Secretary of the Fund at any time prior to its use or by voting in person at the Meeting. Attendance by a Stockholder at the Meeting does not, in itself, revoke a proxy. Unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon and, unless specified to the contrary, will be voted FOR the election of Mr. Daniel W. Bradshaw, Mr. Robert E. Dean and Ms. Marcia E. Malzahn as nominees for Class I Director and Mr. Ralph W. Bradshaw as nominee for Class II Director.

In general, abstentions and broker non-votes, as defined below, count for purposes of obtaining a quorum but do not count as votes cast with respect to any proposal requiring that the broker has discretion. With respect to a proposal requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes is the same as a vote against such proposal. Otherwise, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of a proposal. A broker non-vote is a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such person has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power.

At least one-third of the Fund’s Stockholders must be present at the Meeting in person or by proxy to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Fund. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting from time to time. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies which they are entitled to vote FOR or AGAINST any such proposal in their discretion.

Your vote is being solicited by the directors of the Fund. The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute proxies.

The directors and officers of the Fund, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, the stock transfer agent to the Fund (“AST”), and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the administrator to the Fund (the “Administrator”), may be involved in the solicitation of proxies. The Fund does not reimburse such persons for the solicitation of proxies. The Fund expects that the solicitation will be primarily by mail, but also may include telephone, electronic, oral or other means of communication. If the Fund does not receive your proxy by a certain time, you may receive a telephone call from a proxy soliciting agent asking you to vote. The cost of soliciting the proxies will be borne by the Fund.

Only holders of issued and outstanding shares of the Fund’s common stock of record at the close of business on February 15, 2023 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. Each such holder is entitled to one vote per share of common stock so held. The number of shares of common stock outstanding on February 15, 2023 was 217,448,477. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.

Copies of the Fund’s most recent annual and semi-annual report may be ordered free of charge to any Stockholder by writing to the Fund, c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246, or by calling (866) 668-6558. This report is not to be regarded as proxy-soliciting material.

This Proxy Statement is first being mailed to Stockholders on or about February 24, 2023.

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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

In accordance with the Fund’s By-laws, the Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class has a term of three years and each year the term of office of one class expires. The effect of these staggered terms is to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund by delaying the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors.

At the Meeting, Stockholders will be asked to elect three Class I directors to hold office until the year 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and one Class II director to hold office until the year 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or thereafter until each of their respective successors is duly elected and qualified. The term of office of the Class I Directors, currently consisting of Mr. Daniel W. Bradshaw, Mr. Robert E. Dean and Ms. Marcia E. Malzahn, will expire at the year 2026 Annual Meeting or thereafter until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified. The term of office of the Class II Director, Mr. Ralph W. Bradshaw, will expire at the year 2024 Annual Meeting or thereafter until his respective successor is duly elected and qualified. If elected, each nominee has consented to serve as a Director of the Fund until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Each nominee was considered and recommended by the Fund’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote at the Meeting (unless directed not to vote) FOR the election of each nominee. Each nominee has indicated that he or she will serve if elected, and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that either nominee named above will become unavailable for election as a director, but if any nominee should be unable to serve, the proxy will be voted for any other person determined by the persons named in the proxy in accordance with their judgment.

The following table sets forth the name, address, birth date and principal occupation of each nominee for election as Director:

NOMINEES

Name and Address(1) (Birth Date) | Position(s) with Fund | Term of Office Since | Principal Occupation Over Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director | Directorships Held by Nominee for Director Outside of Fund Complex Over Past 5 Years*
Class I Non-Interested Nominees to serve until the Year 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Robert E. Dean (Apr. 1951) | Director; Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member | 2014 | Director, National Bank Holdings Corp.; Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | National Bank Holdings Corp.
Marcia E. Malzahn (Apr. 1966) | Director; Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member | 2019 | President and Founder of Malzahn Strategic; Director of HOPE International Minnesota Local Board; Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None
Class I Interested Nominee to serve until the Year 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Daniel W. Bradshaw (May 1990)** | Director; Assistant Secretary | 2022 | Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC; Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC (May 1, 2019 - June 24, 2019); Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (Feb. 2018 – Apr. 30, 2019); Associate of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (2016 – Jan. 2018); Director and Assistant Secretary of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None

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Name and Address(1) (Birth Date) | Position(s) with Fund | Term of Office Since | Principal Occupation Over Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director | Directorships Held by Nominee for Director Outside of Fund Complex Over Past 5 Years*
Class II Interested Nominee to serve until the Year 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Ralph W. Bradshaw (Dec. 1950)** | Chairman of the Board of Directors and President | 1998 | President of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC; President of Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC (May 1, 2019 - June 24, 2019); President of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (2001 – April 30, 2019); Financial Consultant; President and Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None

(1) | The mailing address of each Nominee with respect to Fund operations is c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

* | As of December 31, 2022, the Fund Complex was comprised of the Fund and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. both of which are managed by Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). Each of the above Directors oversees both of the Funds in the Fund Complex.

** | Each of Messrs. Daniel W. Bradshaw and Ralph W. Bradshaw is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because of his affiliation with Cornerstone Advisors, LLC.

REMAINING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following tables set forth the name, address, birth date, and principal occupation of each remaining Director of the Fund.

Name and Address(1) (Birth Date) | Position(s) with Fund | Term of Office Since | Principal Occupation Over Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director | Directorships Held by Nominee for Director Outside of Fund Complex Over Past 5 Years*
Class II Non-Interested Directors to serve until the Year 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Matthew W. Morris (May 1971) | Director; Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member | 2017 | Founder and CEO, Lutroco LLC (Jan. 2020 – Present); President and CEO, Stewart Information Services Corporation (Nov. 2011 – Jan. 2020); Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | Stabilis Solutions, Inc.; Stewart Information Services Corporation
Scott B. Rogers (July 1955) | Director; Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member | 2001 | Chief Executive Officer, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (“ABCCM”); President, ABCCM Doctor’s Medical Clinic; Director of Faith Partnerships Incorporated; Member of North Carolina Governor’s Council on Homelessness (since July 2014); Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None

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Name and Address(1) (Birth Date) | Position(s) with Fund | Term of Office Since | Principal Occupation Over Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director | Directorships Held by Nominee for Director Outside of Fund Complex Over Past 5 Years*
Class III Non-Interested Directors to serve until the Year 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Frank J. Maresca (Oct. 1958) | Director; Chairman of Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member | 2020 | Senior Advisor and Consultant, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (since May 2022); Vice President of Mutual Funds, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Feb. 2018 – Apr. 2022 ); Executive Vice President, AST Fund Solutions, LLC (February 2012 – Feb. 2018); Treasurer, The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (July 2016 – Feb. 2018); Treasurer, the Fund and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (Apr. 2013 – Feb. 2018); Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None
Andrew A. Strauss (Nov. 1953) | Director; Chairman of Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committee Member | 2001 | Attorney and senior member of Strauss Attorneys PLLC; Director of Deerfield Charitable Foundation; Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None
Class III Interested Director to serve until the Year 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Joshua G. Bradshaw (June 1988)** | Director; Assistant Secretary | 2021 | Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC; Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC (May 1, 2019 - June 24, 2019); Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (2016 – April 30, 2019); Director and Assistant Secretary of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. | 2 | None

(1) | The mailing address of each Nominee/Director with respect to Fund operations is c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

* | As of December 31, 2022, the Fund Complex was comprised of the Fund and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. both of which are managed by Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). Each of the above Directors oversees both of the Funds in the Fund Complex.

** | Mr. Joshua G. Bradshaw is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because of his affiliation with Cornerstone Advisors, LLC.

The Board believes that the significance of each Director’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Director may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Director, or particular factor, being indicative of the Board’s effectiveness. The Board determined that each of the Directors is qualified to serve as a Director of the Fund based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each Director. In reaching this determination, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, including, among other things: character and integrity; ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided, to exercise effective business judgment in protecting stockholder interests and to interact effectively with the other Directors, the Investment Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered accounting firm (“independent auditors”); and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Director. Each Director’s ability to perform his duties effectively is evidenced by his experience or achievements in the following areas: management or board experience in the investment management industry or companies or organizations in other fields, educational background and professional training; and experience as a Director of the Fund. In addition, the Board values the diverse skill sets and experiences that each Director contributes. The Board considers that its diversity as a whole is as a result of a combination of Directors who are working in the private, as opposed to public, sector, those

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that are retired from professional work and the various perspectives that each Director provides as a result of his present experiences and his background. Information as of December 31, 2022 discussing the specific experience, skills, attributes and qualifications of each Director which led to the Board’s determination that the Director should serve in this capacity is provided below.

DANIEL W. BRADSHAW. Mr. Bradshaw was an Associate of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Former Investment Adviser”) from 2016 through January 2018. He was a Vice President of the “Former Investment Adviser from February 2018 through April 30, 2019. At the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders held on April 16, 2019, stockholders of the Fund approved a new investment agreement with Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC, which later changed its name to Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). The new investment management agreement for the Fund became effective May 1, 2019. Mr. Bradshaw has served as a Vice President of the Investment Adviser since May 1, 2019. He oversees Research at the Investment Adviser and serves as a Co-Portfolio Manager and Assistant Secretary of the Fund. His experiences include developing and implementing successful trading strategies with a variety of underlying portfolios. Prior to joining the Former Investment Adviser, he was employed in the wealth management industry. Mr. Bradshaw holds a B.S. in Finance and Banking from Appalachian State University and holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in Investment Management from Rice University. Mr. Bradshaw provides the Board with effective business judgment and an ability to interact effectively with the other Directors, as well as with the other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent auditor. Mr. Bradshaw commits a significant amount of time to the Fund as a Director and Officer, in addition to serving as a Vice President of the Investment Adviser. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

JOSHUA G. BRADSHAW. Mr. Bradshaw was a Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Former Investment Adviser”) from 2016 through April 30, 2019. At the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders held on April 16, 2019, stockholders of the Fund approved a new investment agreement with Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC, which later changed its name to Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). The new investment management agreement for the Fund became effective May 1, 2019. Mr. Bradshaw has served as a Vice President of the Investment Adviser since May 1, 2019. He oversees Operations at the Investment Adviser and serves as a Co-Portfolio Manager and Assistant Secretary of the Fund. His experiences include developing and implementing successful trading strategies with a variety of underlying portfolios. Mr. Bradshaw holds a B.Arch. in Architecture from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. in International Business from Liberty University. He earned a Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia University School of Business. Mr. Bradshaw provides the Board with effective business judgment and an ability to interact effectively with the other Directors, as well as with the other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent auditor. Mr. Bradshaw commits a significant amount of time to the Fund as a Director and Officer, in addition to serving as a Vice President of the Investment Adviser. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

RALPH W. BRADSHAW. Mr. Bradshaw was a co-founder of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Former Investment Adviser”) and served as its President since its inception in 2001 through April 30, 2019. At the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders held on April 16, 2019, stockholders of the Fund approved a new investment agreement with Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC, which later changed its name to Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). The new investment management agreement for the Fund became effective May 1, 2019. Mr. Bradshaw has served as the President of the Investment Adviser since May 1, 2019. He brings over 25 years of extensive investment management experience and also formerly served as a director of several other closed-end funds. Prior to founding the Former Investment Adviser, he served in consulting and management capacities for registered investment advisory firms specializing in closed-end fund investments. His experiences include developing and implementing successful trading strategies with a variety of underlying portfolios containing domestic and international equity and fixed-income investments. In addition, he has been a financial consultant and has held managerial positions or operated small businesses in several industries. Mr. Bradshaw holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. Mr. Bradshaw provides the Board with effective business judgment and an ability to interact effectively with the other Directors, as well as with the other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent auditor. Mr. Bradshaw commits a significant amount of time to the Fund as a Director and Officer, in addition to serving as President of the Investment Adviser. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

ROBERT E. DEAN. Mr. Dean is a private investor. From October 2000 to December 2003, Mr. Dean was with Ernst & Young Corporate Finance LLC, a wholly owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Ernst & Young LLP, serving as a Senior Managing Director and member of the Board of Managers from December 2001 to December 2003. From June 1976 to September 2000, Mr. Dean practiced corporate, banking and securities law with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Mr. Dean was Partner-in-Charge of the Orange County, California office from 1993 to 1996 and was a member of the law firm’s Executive Committee from 1996 to 1999. Since June 2009, Mr. Dean has served as a director of National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC), a bank holding company, serving as chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk and Compensation Committees. Mr. Dean holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Mr. Dean’s substantial experience in the public capital markets and merger and acquisition transactions, regulatory matters and public company corporate governance matters qualifies him to serve on the Board of Directors of the Fund. Mr. Dean has demonstrated his willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

MARCIA E. MALZAHN. Ms. Malzahn has 30 years of banking experience including cofounding a community bank in Minnesota in 2005 and the last nine years as the president and founder of Malzahn Strategic, a community financial institution consultancy focused on strategic planning, enterprise risk management, treasury management, and talent management. She also served on the

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Board of Village Bank in Blaine, Minnesota as the Audit & Risk Committee Chair 2019-2022. Ms. Malzahn is the recipient of several professional awards, is a published author of five books, and an international bilingual professional speaker. She holds a B.A. in business management from Bethel University, is a certified life coach, Certified Community Bank Director, and is a graduate and faculty member of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Malzahn has demonstrated her willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values her strong moral character and integrity.

FRANK J. MARESCA. Mr. Maresca is a senior advisor and consultant at Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) (“Broadridge”), a provider of investor communications and technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers and corporate issuers. Previously, Mr. Maresca was a vice president of mutual funds at Broadridge. Mr. Maresca is a financial services and investment management professional with over 40 years’ experience in U.S. registered investment companies, asset management and asset servicing industries. Previously, was an executive vice president at AST Fund Solutions, LLC where he created and headed the fund administration group, as well as overseeing business development of all services provided to closed-end funds and business development companies. Mr. Maresca received his BBA in public accounting from Hofstra University and is a CPA (inactive). Mr. Maresca has demonstrated his willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

MATTHEW W. MORRIS. Mr. Morris is the Founder and CEO of Lutroco LLC, a private firm targeting purpose driven strategic investment opportunities. Mr. Morris is a current Board Member and the former President and CEO of Stewart Information Services Company (NYSE:STC), a title insurance and real estate services firm. He also serves on the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Stabilis Solutions, Inc (NSDQ:SLNG) and is on the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Morris received his BBA in Organizational Behavior and Business Policy from Southern Methodist University and his MBA from the University of Texas with a concentration in Finance. Mr. Morris has demonstrated his willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

SCOTT B. ROGERS. Reverend Rogers has been the Executive Director of a regional community ministry organization for over 30 years. In addition to the leadership and management skills obtained through this work, he contributes a non-profit perspective and community insight to the Board’s discussions and deliberations, which provides desirable diversity. Mr. Rogers provides the Board with effective business judgment and an ability to interact effectively with the other Directors, as well as with the Investment Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent auditor. Mr. Rogers has demonstrated a willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

ANDREW A. STRAUSS. Mr. Strauss is an experienced attorney with a securities law background. He currently manages a law firm specializing in estate planning, probate and estate administration. In addition, Mr. Strauss served in an executive capacity with a large public company for over nine years. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Strauss provides the Board with effective business judgment and an ability to interact effectively with the other Directors, as well as with the Investment Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent auditor. Mr. Strauss has demonstrated a willingness to commit the time necessary to serve as an effective Director. The Board values his strong moral character and integrity.

Specific details regarding each Director’s principal occupations during the past five years are included in the table above. The summaries set forth above as to the experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills of the Directors do not constitute holding out the Board or any Director as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case.

The following table sets forth, for each Director, the aggregate dollar range of equity securities owned of the Fund and of all Funds overseen by each Director in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022. The information as to beneficial ownership is based on statements furnished to the Fund by each Director.

Name | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity in All Funds Overseen by Director in Fund Complex
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS |  |
Robert E. Dean | 0 | 0
Marcia E. Malzahn | 0 | 0
Frank J. Maresca | 0 | 0
Matthew W. Morris | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000
Scott B. Rogers | 0 | 0
Andrew A. Strauss | 0 | 0

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Name | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity in All Funds Overseen by Director in Fund Complex
INTERESTED DIRECTORS |  |
Daniel W. Bradshaw | $51,001 – $100,000 | Over $100,000
Joshua G. Bradshaw | $10,001 – $50,000 | $10,001 – $50,000
Ralph W. Bradshaw | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In addition to Messrs. Bradshaw, the current principal officers of the Fund are:

Name and Address(1) (Birth Date) | Position with Fund | Term of Office Since | Principal Occupation Over Past 5 Years
Rachel L. McNabb (Apr. 1980) | Chief Compliance Officer | 2018 | Chief Financial Officer of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (from August 2019); Chief Compliance Officer of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (from June 25, 2019); Chief Compliance Officer of Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC (May 1, 2019 - June 24, 2019); Chief Compliance Officer of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (2016 – April 30, 2019); Internal Audit Managing Senior of Camden Property Trust (2006 – 2015); Chief Compliance Officer of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.
Hoyt M. Peters (Sep. 1963) | Secretary and Assistant Treasurer | 2019, 2013 | Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (from June 25, 2019; Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC (May 1, 2019 - June 24, 2019); Vice President of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (January 2019 - April 24, 2019); Associate of Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (June 2018 – December 2018); ); Vice President of AST Fund Solutions, LLC (2013–2018); Secretary of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (2016–2018); Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.
Brian J. Lutes (June 1975) | Treasurer | 2022 | Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC; Treasurer of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.

(1) | The mailing address of each officer with respect to Fund operations is c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

Under the federal securities laws, the Fund is required to provide to Stockholders in connection with the Meeting information regarding compensation paid to the Directors by the Fund as well as by the various other U.S. registered investment companies advised by the Fund’s Investment Adviser during its prior calendar year. The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid during the year ended December 31, 2022, to each Director of the Fund in his capacity solely as a Director of the Fund. This information does not reflect any additional monies received for a named individual serving in any other capacity to the Fund. Please note that the Fund has no bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plans.

Name of Director | Director Since | Aggregate Compensation From Fund | Total Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex* Paid to Director
Robert E. Dean | 2014 | $35,000 | $60,000
Marcia E. Malzahn | 2019 | $35,000 | $60,000
Frank J. Maresca | 2020 | $35,000 | $60,000
Matthew W. Morris | 2017 | $35,000 | $60,000
Scott B. Rogers | 2001 | $35,000 | $60,000
Andrew A. Strauss | 2001 | $35,000 | $60,000
Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr.** | 2001 | $18,159 | $30,934

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Name of Director | Director Since | Aggregate Compensation From Fund | Total Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex* Paid to Director
Daniel G. Bradshaw | 2022 | $0 | $0
Joshua G. Bradshaw | 2021 | $0 | $0
Ralph W. Bradshaw | 1998 | $0 | $0

* | For compensation purposes, the Fund Complex refers to the Fund and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. both of which were managed by Cornerstone Advisors, LLC during the year ended December 31, 2022.

** | Mr. Wilcox ceased being a Director of the Fund as of April 5, 2022.

Director Transactions with Fund Affiliates. As of December 31, 2022, neither the Independent Directors nor members of their immediate family owned securities beneficially or of record in Cornerstone Advisors, LLC, or an affiliate of Cornerstone Advisors, LLC. Furthermore, over the past five years, neither the Independent Directors nor members of their immediate family have any direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in Cornerstone Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates. In addition, since the beginning of the last two fiscal years, neither the Independent Directors nor members of their immediate family have conducted any transactions (or series of transactions) or maintained any direct or indirect relationship in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and to which Cornerstone Advisors, LLC or any affiliate thereof was a party.

BOARD COMPOSITION AND LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The Board consists of nine individuals, three of whom are Interested Directors. The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Ralph W. Bradshaw, is an Interested Director and is the President of the Fund, the President of the Investment Adviser, and is the President and a director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. In addition, each of Messrs. Daniel W. Bradshaw and Joshua G. Bradshaw, is an Interested Director and is an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, a Vice President of the Investment Adviser and is an Assistant Secretary and a Director of Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. The Board does not have a lead independent director.

The Board believes that its structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Directors from the Investment Adviser and other service providers with respect to services provided to the Fund, potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships and other risks that the Fund may face. The Board further believes that its structure allows all of the Directors to participate in the full range of the Board’s oversight responsibilities. The Board believes that the orderly and efficient flow of information and the ability to bring each Director’s talents to bear in overseeing the Fund’s operations is important, in light of the size and complexity of the Fund and the risks that the Fund faces. The Board and its committees review their structure regularly, to help ensure that it remains appropriate as the business and operations of the Fund and the environment in which the Fund operates changes.

Currently, the Board has an Audit Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The responsibilities of each committee and its members are described below. The Board convened five (5) times during the 2022 calendar year (including regularly scheduled and special meetings). Each of the Directors attended at least seventy-five (75%) percent of the meetings held during the period for which he or she was a member. Each director attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the four (4) meetings of its Audit Committee (including regularly scheduled and special meetings) held during the period for which he or she was a member. Each director attended at least seventy-five (75%) percent of the four (4) meetings of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (including regularly scheduled and special meetings) held during the period for which he or she was a member. The Board does not have a policy regarding Directors’ attendance at the Annual Stockholders Meeting, but all are invited to attend.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Fund has a standing Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”), which is comprised of Messrs. Dean, Maresca, Morris, Rogers and, Strauss, and Ms. Malzahn, all of whom are Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Audit Committee has a written charter. The principal functions of the Audit Committee include but are not limited to, (i) the oversight of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Fund and its internal control over financial reporting; (ii) the oversight of the quality and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; and (iii) the approval, prior to the engagement of, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee convened four (4) times during the 2022 calendar year.

The Board has appointed Mr. Maresca to be the Audit Committee Financial Expert, as such term is defined in Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, as approved by the Directors, are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is available on the Fund’s website at www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com under the section “Corporate Governance – Audit Committee Charter.”

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THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The Fund has a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “N&CG Committee”), which is comprised of Messrs. Dean, Maresca, Morris, Rogers and Strauss, and Ms. Malzahn, all of whom are Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The N&CG Committee has a written charter. In addition to its responsibility to oversee the corporate governance of the Fund, the N&CG Committee is appointed to identify and select qualified candidates that have exhibited strong decision making ability, substantial business experience, relevant knowledge of the investment company industry (including closed-end funds), skills or technological expertise and exemplary personal integrity and reputation. In addition, the N&CG Committee seeks candidates that have experience and knowledge of the service providers of a registered investment company.

The N&CG Committee will consider all nominees recommended by Stockholders of the Fund, so long as Stockholders send their recommendations in writing to the Secretary of the Fund in a manner consistent with the Fund’s By-laws. The N&CG Committee will seek candidates for the Board that have exhibited strong decision-making ability, substantial business experience, relevant knowledge, skills or technological expertise, and exemplary personal integrity and reputation. Specifically, the N&CG Committee assesses all director nominees taking into account several factors, including, but not limited to, issues such as the current needs of the Board and the nominee’s: (i) integrity, honesty, and accountability; (ii) successful leadership experience and strong business acumen; (iii) forward-looking, strategic focus; (iv) collegiality; (v) independence and absence of conflicts of interests; and (vi) ability to devote necessary time to meet director responsibilities. The N&CG Committee does not have a policy with regard to considering diversity when identifying candidates for election, but would expect to consider race, gender and professional experience diversity when identifying future candidates. The N&CG Committee will ultimately recommend nominees that it believes will enhance the Board’s ability to oversee, in an effective manner, the affairs and business of the Fund. The N&CG Committee will consider and evaluate Stockholder-recommended candidates by applying the same criteria used to evaluate director-recommended candidates. The deadline for submitting a Stockholder proposal for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement and proxy for the Fund’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is October 27, 2023. Stockholders wishing to submit proposals or director nominations that are to be included in such proxy statement and proxy must deliver notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Fund no later than the close of business on October 27, 2023. Stockholders are also advised to review the Fund’s By-laws, which contain additional requirements with respect to advance notice of Stockholder proposals and director nominations.

In 2022, the N&CG Committee met and discussed the nomination of the Class I Director nominees and of the Class II Director nominee of the Fund for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Nominees were recommended by the N&CG Committee, comprised of the non-interested Directors. The N&CG Committee convened four (4) times during the 2022 calendar year.

The responsibilities of the N&CG Committee, as approved by the Directors, are set forth in the N&CG Committee Charter, a copy of which is available on the Fund’s website at www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com under the section “Corporate Governance – Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter.”

BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT OF THE FUND

The Board oversees risk management for the Fund directly and, as to certain matters, through its Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. The Board exercises its oversight in this regard primarily through requesting and receiving reports from and otherwise working with the Fund’s senior officers (including the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer), portfolio management personnel of the Investment Adviser, the Fund’s independent auditors, legal counsel and personnel from the Fund’s other service providers. The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, and periodically reviews with the assistance of Fund personnel, policies and procedures designed to address certain risks associated with the Fund’s activities. In addition, the Investment Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers have also adopted policies, processes and procedures designed to identify, assess and manage certain risks associated with the Fund’s activities, and the Board receives reports from service providers with respect to the operation of these policies, processes and procedures as required and/or as the Board deems appropriate. The Board does not believe that a separate Risk Oversight Committee is necessary for effective risk oversight at this time, but intends to continuously evaluate how it assesses risk and consider whether any changes to the current structure are prudent.

REQUIRED VOTE

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of common stock of the Fund present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting with a quorum present. For purposes of the election of Directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as shares present for quorum purposes, may be considered votes cast, and may affect the plurality vote required for Directors. Proposal No. 1 is considered a “routine” matter under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), and beneficial owners who do not provide proxy instructions or who do not return a proxy card may have their shares voted by broker-dealer firms on the proposal in the discretion of such broker-dealer firms.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF MR. DANIEL W. BRADSHAW, MR. ROBERT E. DEAN AND MS. MARCIA E. MALZAHN AS CLASS I DIRECTORS OF THE FUND AND “FOR” THE ELECTION OF MR. RALPH W. BRADSHAW AS A CLASS II DIRECTOR OF THE FUND.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In February 2023, the Audit Committee met with the Fund’s Administrator, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen &Co., Ltd., to discuss and review the Fund’s audited financial statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm represented to the Audit Committee that the Fund’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements with the Fund’s Administrator and its independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by current auditing standards.

The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by current independence standards regarding Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm their independence, in light of the services they were providing.

Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussion with the Fund’s Administrator and the independent registered public accounting firm and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations and report of the independent registered public accounting firm to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited financial statements in the Fund’s Annual Report for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

This Audit Committee report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any document previously or subsequently filed with the SEC that incorporates by reference all or any portion of this proxy statement except to the extent that the Fund specifically requests that the report be specifically incorporated by reference.

| Respectfully submitted,
| Frank J. Maresca, Chairman
| Robert E. Dean
| Marcia E. Malzahn
| Matthew W. Morris
| Scott B. Rogers
| Andrew A. Strauss

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022, was the firm of Cohen & Co. Ltd. (“Cohen & Co.”). The Audit Committee has selected Cohen & Company, Ltd. (“Cohen & Co.”) to be the Fund’s registered public accounting firm for the calendar year ending December 31, 2023. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021, was the firm of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP (“Tait Weller”).

Representatives of Cohen & Co. are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or to make a statement, but may be available by telephone to respond to appropriate questions from Stockholders.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Fund by Cohen & Co. and Tait Weller for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were:

Service |  | 2022 (1) |  |  | 2021 (1) |
Audit Fees |  | $ | 26,000 |  |  | $ | 29,600 |
Audit-Related Fees |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Tax Fees (2) |  |  | 6,000 |  |  |  | 6,200 |
All Other Fees (3) |  |  | 5,100 (4) |  |  |  | 1,600 |
Total |  | $ | 37,100 |  |  | $ | 37,400 |

(1) | Except as noted in Note (4) below, all 2022 fees were paid to Cohen & Co. All 2021 fees were paid to Tait Weller.

(2) | Tax services in connection with the Fund’s excise tax calculations and review of the Fund’s applicable tax returns.

(3) | All Other Fees represents charges for review of the Fund’s rights offering documents.

(4) | For the year ended December 31, 2022, the charges for review of the Fund’s rights offering documents by Cohen & Co. and Tait Weller were $3,500 and $1,600, respectively.

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All of the services performed by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, including audit-related and non-audit related services, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, as required under the Audit Committee Charter. Audit Fees for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were for professional services rendered for the audits of the financial statements of the Fund, reviews, and issuances of consents, and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC. Tax Fees for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were for services performed in connection with income and excise tax services other than those directly related to the audit of the income tax accrual.

The Audit Committee has considered and determined that the services provided by Cohen & Co. are compatible with maintaining Cohen & Co.’s independence. The aggregate fees included in Audit Fees are fees billed for the calendar year for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements. Of the time expended by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firms to audit the Fund’s financial statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022, less than 50% of such time involved work performed by persons other than the independent registered public accounting firm’s full time, permanent employees. Cohen & Co. did not perform any services on behalf of the Investment Adviser.

CHANGE IN INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee completed a competitive process to select the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022. As a result of this process, on February 11, 2022, the Committee approved, and the Board of Directors ratified, the engagement of Cohen & Co. as the Fund’s new independent registered public accounting firm to audit its financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2022. The selection of Cohen & Co. does not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by the Fund or the Board of Directors with the performance of the Fund’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, Tait Weller.

The audit report of Tait Weller on the Fund’s financial statements for each of the two years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and through the subsequent interim period preceding February 11, 2022: (i) there were no disagreements with Tait Weller on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their report, or (ii) there were no “reportable events” within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Fund provided Tait Weller with a copy of the foregoing disclosures, and requested that Tait Weller furnish the Fund with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not Tait Weller agrees with the disclosures. A copy of such letter was filed as an Exhibit, under Item 13(a)(4), to Form N-CSR for the year ended December 31, 2021.

During the Fund’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and through the subsequent interim period preceding February 11, 2022, neither the Fund nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with Cohen & Co. on items which: (i) concerned the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements; or (ii) concerned the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or reportable events (as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of said Item 304).

INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE FUND’S INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

At the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders held on April 16, 2019, stockholders of the Fund approved a new investment management agreement with Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management LLC, which, as discussed in the proxy statement for that meeting, later changed its name to Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”). The new investment management agreement for the Fund became effective May 1, 2019.

Cornerstone Advisors, Inc, acted as the Fund’s investment adviser from 2001 through April 30, 2019. The Investment Adviser has acted as the Fund’s investment adviser since May 1, 2019, and has its principal office at 1075 Hendersonville Road, Suite 250, Asheville, NC 28803. The Investment Adviser was organized to provide investment management services to closed-end investment companies and is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Investment Adviser is the investment adviser to one other closed-end fund, Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.

The Investment Adviser is owned by the Cornerstone Trust, a trust established on January 29, 2019. The trustees of the Cornerstone Trust include, but are not limited to, Messrs. Ralph W. Bradshaw, Joshua G. Bradshaw and Daniel W. Bradshaw. Mr. Ralph W. Bradshaw is President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund and each of Messrs. Joshua G. Bradshaw and Daniel W. Bradshaw are is a director and an Assistant Secretary of the Fund.

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The investment management agreement was last approved by the Board of Directors on February 10, 2023.

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246, currently acts as the Administrator of the Fund.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act in combination require the Fund’s directors and officers, persons who own more than ten (10%) of the Fund’s Common Stock, and the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its directors and officers, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms and amendments thereto filed electronically with the SEC during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and written representations received by it, the Fund believes that the Fund’s directors and officers, the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its directors and officers have complied with all applicable filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2022, except that (i) a Form 4 filed on June 30, 2022 reporting the purchase of shares in the Fund’s rights offering by Matthew W. Morris, a Fund director, was filed one day late due to Mr. Morris’ delayed receipt of the final amount of shares he purchased in the rights offering and (ii) a Form 3 filed on March 17, 2022 by Brian J. Lutes, the Fund’s Treasurer, was filed late due to inadvertent administrative oversight.

INFORMATION PERTAINING TO CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund by each person known to the Fund to be deemed the beneficial owner of more than five (5%) percent of the outstanding shares of the Fund at the close of business on December 31, 2022:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares Outstanding
Sit Investment Associates, Inc.* 3300 IDS Center 80 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 | 18,838,292 | 8.66%

* | Pursuant to a 13G filing dated February 7, 2023 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Additionally, on February 15, 2023, Cede & Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, held of record 217,177,358 shares of the Fund, equal to approximately 99.9% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. All the directors and executive officers of the Fund, as of the date of this proxy, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statements and the exhibits relating thereto which the Fund has filed with the SEC, under the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to which reference is hereby made.

The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other information filed by the Fund can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the SEC in Washington, DC. Copies of such materials also can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20594, at prescribed rates.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of Directors of the Fund does not know of any other matter which may come before the Meeting, but should any other matter requiring a vote of Stockholders arise, including any questions as to the adjournment of the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies in accordance with their judgment on that matter in the interest of the Fund.

PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED BY STOCKHOLDERS

All proposals by Stockholders of the Fund which are intended to be presented at the Fund’s next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held in the year 2024, must be received by the Fund addressed to Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc., c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246, in advance of that meeting as set forth in this document.

| CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.
| Hoyt M. Peters, Secretary
| Dated: February 24, 2023

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