This may get kind of long so just skip if you want.
I've had two ranges shot out from under me, so I've got some ideas and watch-outs.
First, contact the NRA. They know more about running ranges than anybody.
Some ideas to generate money:
Have open to the public sighting-in days just before hunting seasons. Have spotting scopes and hearing protection on hand. Charge a small fee, and have membership applications on hand.
Gun raffles are money makers.
Have a club gun dealer who will sell guns and ammo at a small markup, profit to the club, or a 50-50 split.
Have open to the public shoots. Self defense guns, blackpowder, bow, shotgun, etc. Charge small entry fees, and have membership info present.
For all matches, use the Lewis award system. In most matches, the first 3 people always get the awards, everyone else looses interest.
In the Lewis system, the top shooter gets an award, and the other shooters are split into two other classes, divided by thirds. Top shooter in each class gets an award. In this way, EVERYONE and anyone, can win an award. It's decided by how many people are shooting.
Instead of trophys, give shooting supplies. Sometimes gunshops will donate goodies.
Offer reduced membership dues to people willing to do maintenance, or other club work.
Most important is to understand the profit flow of a gunclub. Rifle/pistol ranges don't have much outlay other than backstops and maintenance. However, the club is usually supported by the once a year club member, who you never see at meetings. His dues actually support the club.
Avoid major outlays, by selling targets and any necessary target stands, for a small fee.
DON'T supply free targets or stands. When targets are there for the taking, people will loadup and the next man won't get targets. This leads to mad members. Either sell them, or make sure members understand that they have to bring their own.
Shotgun ranges can be money makers, or (in my case) kill a range off.
Understand up front that a rifle range is "selling" a place to shoot. A shotgun range is selling clay birds. If you don't at least break even on the price of birds, PLUS price of traps and trap maintenance, you'll loose your shirt.
Both my old clubs were killed by:
Members bragging that they had NEVER paid for a round of birds.
Gunstore owners bringing customers and salesmen out to test guns, and not paying.
Members running the range STEALING the money.
The shotgunner's claimed they were supporting the clubs since, "Why just last weekend we took in $300.00". Yes, but they had spent over $500.00 for birds, maintenance, and to pay off the traps. We could never get them to understand that money comes in at matches, but goes out at bill paying time. Their $300.00 wasn't PROFIT.
Shotgun shooter's would "stack" a club meeting. They would get together before the club meeting, to decide what they wanted, then show up at summer meetings when few other shooters would attend. They would then vote themselves whatever money or equipment they wanted.
Allowing this kind of stuff will put you out of business ASAP.
I repeat: understand that most clubs are supported by the dues of the once or twice a year casual plinker/hunter. You never see them at meetings or shoots, but their the ones you have to serve. We lost sight of that, and two clubs went down the tubes.