You have lots of friends, and want to keep it that way. So you prefer not to get into lending and, heaven forbid, borrowing.
And that's smart. Money just tends to muddy the waters between you, and could lead to anxiety when you worry about them paying it back. It's just easier if you leave it alone.
If someone close to you is insistent on asking you for cash, challenge them to a matching arrangement. For every dollar they're able to earn toward their goals, agree to match with a dollar of your own. Chances are, you'll lend a lot less this way. Or, just say, "No."