-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, J9cVv1qIeKvSoFzKHV75ZMkyOBJjvvxRlQ7WrMpKKGO7hojAR34ETCLvuLtjEveX vxxLlKbk+Ik8db4EcP+8Aw== 0001135428-08-000132.txt : 20080320 0001135428-08-000132.hdr.sgml : 20080320 20080320164214 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001135428-08-000132 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFA14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080320 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080320 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20080320 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001048702 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFA14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-08495 FILM NUMBER: 08702916 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: RIVER PARK 2 STREET 2: 1200 RIVER ROAD CITY: CONSHOHOCKEN STATE: PA ZIP: 19428 BUSINESS PHONE: 4845301300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: RIVER PARK 2 STREET 2: 1200 RIVER ROAD CITY: CONSHOHOCKEN STATE: PA ZIP: 19428 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GARTMORE MUTUAL FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20020125 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19991015 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NATIONWIDE INVESTING FOUNDATION III DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19971029

0001048702 S000004970 Nationwide Small Cap Fund

C000013439 Class A GSXAX

C000013440 Class B GSXBX

C000013441 Class C GSXCX

C000013442 Class R GNSRX

C000013443 Institutional Service Class GSXIX

C000013444 Institutional Class GSCIX

0001048702 S000004975 Nationwide Tax-Free Income Fund

C000013470 Class A NTFAX

C000013471 Class B GTIBX

C000013472 Class C GTICX

C000013473 Class D NATFX

C000013474 Class X GXTFX

C000013475 Class Y GTFYX

0001048702 S000004985 Nationwide Global Financial Services Fund

C000013489 Class A GLFAX

C000013490 Class B GLFBX

C000013491 Class C GLFCX

C000013492 Class R GLFRX

C000013493 Institutional Service Class GFISX

C000013494 Institutional Class GLFIX

0001048702 S000004986 Nationwide China Opportunities Fund

C000013495 Class A GOPAX

C000013496 Class B GOPBX

C000013497 Class C GOPCX

C000013498 Class R GOPRX

C000013499 Institutional Service Class GOPSX

C000013500 Institutional Class GOPIX

0001048702 S000004987 Nationwide Emerging Markets Fund

C000013501 Class A GEGAX

C000013502 Class B GEGBX

C000013503 Class C GEGCX

C000013504 Class R GEMRX

C000013505 Institutional Service Class GEGSX

C000013506 Institutional Class GEGIX

0001048702 S000004988 Nationwide International Growth Fund

C000013507 Class A GIGAX

C000013508 Class B GIGBX

C000013509 Class C GIGCX

C000013510 Class R GIRRX

C000013511 Institutional Service Class GIGSX

C000013512 Institutional Class GIGIX

0001048702 S000004993 Nationwide U.S. Growth Leaders Long-Short Fund

C000013537 Class A MLSAX

C000013538 Class B MLSBX

C000013539 Class C MLSCX

C000013540 Class R GLSRX

C000013541 Institutional Class GGUIX

C000033113 Institutional Service Class

0001048702 S000004996 Nationwide Health Sciences Fund

C000013551 Class A GLSAX

C000013552 Class B GLSBX

C000013553 Class C GMSCX

C000013554 Class R GGHRX

C000013555 Institutional Service Class GLSIX

C000013556 Institutional GGHIX

0001048702 S000005006 Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Moderate

C000013606 Class A GMAAX

C000013607 Class B GMABX

C000013608 Class C GMACX

C000013609 Class R GMRRX

C000013610 Institutional Service Class GAMSX

C000013611 Institutional Class GMAIX

0001048702 S000005007 Nationwide Technology and Communications Fund

C000013612 Class A GAGTX

C000013613 Class B GBGTX

C000013614 Class C GCGTX

C000013615 Class R GGTRX

C000013616 Institutional Service Class GIGTX

C000013617 Institutional Class GGTIX

0001048702 S000005008 Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Moderate Growth

C000013618 Class A GMMAX

C000013619 Class B GMMBX

C000013620 Class C GMMCX

C000013621 Class R GAGRX

C000013622 Institutional Service Class GAASX

C000013623 Institutional Class GMMIX

0001048702 S000005009 Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Growth

C000013624 Class A GVAAX

C000013625 Class B GVABX

C000013626 Class C GAACX

C000013627 Class R GAARX

C000013628 Institutional Service Class GVISX

C000013629 Institutional Class GAAIX

0001048702 S000005010 Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Specialty

C000013630 Class A GASAX

C000013631 Class B GASBX

C000013632 Class C GAMCX

C000013633 Class R GASRX

C000013634 Institutional Service Class GAISX

C000013635 Institutional Class GASIX

0001048702 S000005016 Nationwide Global Utilities Fund

C000013658 Class A GGUAX

C000013659 Class B GGUBX

C000013660 Class C GGUCX

C000013661 Class R GLURX

C000013662 Institutional Service Class GUISX

C000013663 Institutional Class GLUIX

0001048702 S000005017 Nationwide Mid Cap Growth Leaders Fund

C000013664 Class A NMGAX

C000013665 Class B NMGBX

C000013666 Class C GMGCX

C000013667 Class R GMGRX

C000025369 Class D NMCGX

C000033121 Institutional Class GMGIX

C000033122 Institutional Service Class

0001048702 S000005018 Nationwide Leaders Fund

C000013668 Class A GULAX

C000013669 Class B GULBX

C000013670 Class C GULCX

C000013671 Class R GNLRX

C000013672 Institutional Service Class GULIX

C000013673 Institutional Class GNLIX

0001048702 S000005019 Nationwide Small Cap Leaders Fund

C000013675 Class A GPLAX

C000013676 Class B GPLBX

C000013677 Class C GPLCX

C000013678 Class R GSLRX

C000013679 Institutional Service Class GSLSX

C000013680 Institutional Class GPLIX

0001048702 S000005020 Nationwide U.S. Growth Leaders Fund

C000013681 Class A GXXAX

C000013682 Class B GXXBX

C000013683 Class C GXXCX

C000013684 Class R GGLRX

C000013685 Institutional Service Class GXXIX

C000013686 Institutional Class GGLIX

0001048702 S000005021 Nationwide Worldwide Leaders Fund

C000013687 Class A GLLAX

C000013688 Class B GLLBX

C000013689 Class C GLLCX

C000013690 Class R GWLRX

C000013691 Institutional Service Class GLLSX

C000013692 Institutional Class GWLIX

0001048702 S000009295 Nationwide Natural Resources Fund

C000025364 Class A GGNAX

C000025365 Class B GENBX

C000025366 Class C GGNCX

C000025367 Class R GGNRX

C000033123 Institutional Service Class GGNSX

C000033124 Institutional Class GGNIX

0001048702 S000013515 Nationwide Hedged Core Equity Fund

C000036662 Class A

C000036663 Class B

C000036664 Class C

C000036665 Class R

C000036666 Institutional Class

C000036667 Institutional Service Class

0001048702 S000013516 Nationwide Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

C000036668 Class R

C000036669 Institutional Class

C000036670 Institutional Service Class

C000036671 Class A

C000036672 Class B

C000036673 Class C

0001048702 S000013517 Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund

C000036674 Class A

C000036675 Class B

C000036676 Class C

C000036677 Class R

C000036678 Institutional Class

C000036679 Institutional Service Class

0001048702 S000013587 Nationwide Small Cap Core Fund

C000036832 Class A

C000036833 Class B

C000036834 Class C

C000036835 Class R

C000036836 Institutional Class

C000036837 Institutional Service Class

0001048702 S000013588 Nationwide Market Neutral Fund

C000036838 Class R

C000036839 Institutional Class

C000036840 Institutional Service Class

C000036841 Class A

C000036842 Class B

C000036843 Class C

0001048702 S000013600 Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Defensive

C000036864 Class A

C000036865 Class B

C000036866 Class C

C000036867 Class R

C000036868 Institutional Class

C000036869 Institutional Service Class

DEFA14A 1 nmf_defa14a.txt SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.) 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)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS ----------------------- (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) N/A --- (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT) 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 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: IMPORTANT PROXY INFORMATION SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 5, 2008 Shareholders of certain Nationwide Mutual Funds recently received in the mail a package of materials regarding an upcoming Special Meeting of Shareholders. The combined proxy statement/prospectus included in the package outlines the proposed reorganization of certain Nationwide Funds into Aberdeen Funds. The Nationwide Mutual Funds' Board of Trustees recommends that you vote FOR the proposal. Your vote is crucial for the success of the reorganization. Voting today will help to avoid the expense of further solicitation. Please see the Proxy Literature Resource Center below for helpful information. There are two quick and easy ways to vote 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will need to enter the individual control number printed on the proxy card that was included on your proxy package. If your proxy card looks like: (IT--Insert PDF titled "Registered Proxy Card here. "View larger image" link below should open the PDF in a new window for easier viewing) View larger image please click www.proxyonline.com or call 866-458-9850 to vote your shares If your proxy card looks like: (IT--Insert PDF titled "Beneficial Proxy Card" here. "View larger image" link below should open the PDF in a new window for easier viewing) View larger image please click www.proxyvote.com or call 800-690-6903 to vote your shares Proxy Literature Resource Center (PDF icon) Proxy Registration Statement (PDF icon) Shareholder Guide to the Proxy (PDF icon) Aberdeen Funds Prospectus Voting by phone or Internet is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any difficulties in voting or if you need additional information or a proxy card, please call 866-745-2066. Specialists are available to assist you Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. You may also vote by mailing your completed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided in Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC, distributor of the Nationwide Funds, is not affiliated with Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. The table below lists the Nationwide Mutual Funds that are proposed for reorganization. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Fund Name ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide China Opportunities Fund(1), (2) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Emerging Markets Fund(1) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Global Financial Services Fund(1), (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Global Utilities Fund(1), (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Health Sciences Fund(1), (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Hedged Core Equity Fund(4) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide International Growth Fund(1) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Leaders Fund(3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Market Neutral Fund(4) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Mid Cap Growth Leaders Fund(3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Natural Resources Fund(1), (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Defensive(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Moderate(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Moderate Growth(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Growth(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Optimal Allocations Fund: Specialty(5) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Small Cap Fund(1), (2), (6) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Small Cap Core Fund(4), (6) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund(6), (7) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Small Cap Leaders Fund(2), (3), (6) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund(6), (7), (8), (9) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Tax-Free Income Fund(10) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Technology and Communications Fund(1), (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide U.S. Growth Leaders Fund(3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide U.S. Growth Leaders Long-Short Fund(4) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Worldwide Leaders Fund1, (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------- FUND DISCLOSURE 1 International investing involves additional risks, including currency fluctuations, differences in accounting standards, economic and political instability, illiquidity and higher trading costs, and differences in foreign regulations, all of which are magnified in emerging markets. The Fund may purchase securities in initial public offerings, which can be very volatile and carry high transaction costs. 2 The Fund may invest in initial public offerings, can be very volatile and carry high transaction costs. 3 Funds that concentrate on specific sectors or a relatively small number of securities may be subject to greater volatility than that of other mutual funds. 4 In order to achieve the Fund's objective, the manager uses sophisticated investment strategies such as leverage, short selling, and investing in derivatives and ETFs. These strategies cause the Fund to have greater risk and volatility, and higher expenses, than those of other investments. 5 The Nationwide Optimal Allocations Funds are designed to provide diversification and asset allocation across several types of investment strategies and asset classes. Each Fund is subject to different levels of risk, based on the types and sizes of its underlying asset class allocations. Each Fund's underlying funds are subject to specific investment risks such as those associated with a concentrated, market-sector or asset class-focused portfolio (such as REITs), small companies, international securities, initial public offerings, short selling, short-term trading, bonds and short-term instruments. There is no assurance that a diversified portfolio will produce better results than a nondiversified portfolio. 6 Small-company stocks have higher risks than the stocks of larger, more established companies and have significant short-term price volatility. 7 The Fund may purchase securities in derivatives and initial public offerings, which can be very volatile and carry high transaction costs. 8 The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs) that are more volatile than other types of securities. 9 Value stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market and economic developments than the market overall and other types of stocks. This can cause the Fund to underperform other funds using different investment styles. 10 For some investors, income from the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes, and the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER A FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, FEES, CHARGES AND EXPENSES BEFORE INVESTING ANY MONEY. TO OBTAIN THIS AND OTHER FUND INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 1-800-848-0920 TO REQUEST A PROSPECTUS, OR DOWNLOAD A PROSPECTUS AT NATIONWIDEFUNDS.COM. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING ANY MONEY. Mutual fund investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Nationwide Funds distributed by NATIONWIDE FUND DISTRIBUTORS LLC, Member FINRA. 1200 River Road, Suite 1000, Conshohocken, PA 19428. OUTBOUND CALLING GUIDE TO FINANCIAL ADVISORS Here are the most important points to communicate to financial advisors regarding the proposed reorganization: o The proxy materials mailed to shareholders relate to the reorganization proposal of 26 Nationwide mutual funds into corresponding portfolios of Aberdeen Funds. List of funds can be found on the following page. o Shareholders of the Nationwide Funds included in the reorganization proposal who owned shares as of Feb. 29, 2008 will receive the proxy materials and voting instructions by mail. Following the mailing, certain clients may also be contacted by phone to solicit their vote. o Currently, Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. is the one of the largest subadvisers to the Nationwide Funds. In November 2007, the Nationwide Mutual Funds' Board of Trustees approved the proposal and determined that the reorganization is in the best interest of shareholders, and recommends that your clients vote FOR the proposal. o If the proposal is approved, your client will become a shareholder of Aberdeen Funds. Aberdeen will serve as the investment advisor and the funds will be managed by the same portfolio managers (except for the Nationwide Tax-Free Income Fund) who currently manage their Nationwide Fund. Upon shareholder approval, Aberdeen Tax-Free Income will be subadvised by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC o If you receive calls regarding this proxy from your clients, please let them know that they should not discard their proxy card included in the mailing and encourage them to vote immediately. o If the client discarded their material, an additional proxy card can be obtained in one of two ways: 1. Client can call 866-745-0266 2. Advisor can contact their firm's proxy department. o Shareholders have three ways to vote: 1. By Internet - Visit the website listed on proxy card. 2. By Phone - Call the toll-free number listed on the proxy card. 3. By Mail - Sign/date the proxy card and return in the postage-paid envelope. o Advisors can vote if their client has authorized them to vote on their behalf. Advisor should contact their firm's proxy department and provide them with the following information. This process will vary by firm. 1. Account Name/Title 2. Account # 3. CUSIP & # of shares 4. Instructions on how the vote is to be cast (For, Against, Abstain) The following chart lists the names of the Aberdeen Fund that, upon shareholder approval, will acquire the corresponding Nationwide Fund.

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