exhibit (g)(36)

AMENDMENT TO THE CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

     This Amendment to the Custodian Contract is made as of August 1, 2001 by and between Goldman Sachs Equity Portfolios, Inc. (formerly GS Capital Growth Fund, Inc. hereinafter the “Fund”) and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Custodian Contract referred to below.

WITNESSETH THAT:

     WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian are parties to a Custodian Contract dated as of April 16, 1990 (as amended and in effect from time to time, hereinafter, the “Contract”); and

     WHEREAS, the Fund and the Custodian desire to amend certain provisions of the Contract relating to Proper Instructions.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the Fund and the Custodian hereby agree to amend the Contract, pursuant to the terms thereof, as follows:

     (1)  The first sentence of Section 6, Proper Instructions, is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Directors of the Fund shall have from time to time authorized; provided, however that Proper Instructions shall mean a writing signed or initialed by two or more persons as the Board of Directors of the Fund shall have from time to time authorized for purposes of the payment of Fund monies pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Contract.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

GOLDMAN SACHS EQUITY PORTFOLIOS, INC.



By: /s/ John Perlowski
Name: John Perlowski
Title: Treasurer STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY



By: /s/ Joseph L. Hooley
Name: Joseph L. Hooley
Title: Executive Vice President